Proverbs 11:20 · American Standard Version
Proverbs 11:20 in the Original Hebrew
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Proverbs 11:20 in Other Translations
| KJV | They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. |
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| WEB | Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight. |
| ASV | They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in their way are his delight. |
| YLT | An abomination to Jehovah are the perverse of heart, And the perfect of the way are His delight. |
| WBT | They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the LORD: but [such as are] upright in [their] way [are] his delight. |
| DBY | The perverse in heart are abomination to Jehovah; but they that are perfect in [their] way are his delight. |
Commentary on Proverbs 11:20
Expositions from classic Bible commentators.
John Gill · Proverbs 11:20
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord,.... Such as are men of perverse dispositions and principles; that are contrary to the light of nature, the law of God, and Gospel of Christ; who, like the Jews of old, please not God, and are contrary to all men, to all good men; as antichrist and his followers, these work abomination, and make a lie, and speak lies in hypocrisy; are double hearted men, hypocrites, that say one thing and mean another; and, under the pretence of religion, do the vilest things: such of all men are abominable in the sight of God, and will have their portion in the lake of fire, in the hottest place in hell, as hypocrites will, Rev 21:8;
but such as are upright in their way are his delight; or, "in the way"; there being no need of a supplement: such as are in the way, Christ, and walk by faith in him, and in the paths of truth and holiness, in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless, who are the "undefiled in the way", as in Psa 119:1, where the same words are used as here: or, are "perfect" in Christ; though not in faith, nor in their walk and conversation; yet are sincere, Israelites indeed, and walk uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel. These the Lord takes delight and pleasure in; he is well pleased with their persons in Christ; and in their walk and works, as they flow from right principles, and are directed to right ends, and being upright in all; see Psa 84:11.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Proverbs 11:20
(Compare Pro 11:5).
froward--as in Pro 2:15, opposed to the simplicity and purity of the upright.
in their way--or, "conduct."
Read Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's full commentary on Proverbs 11 →
Cross References for Proverbs 11:20
Related passages, ranked by how often readers connect them. Cross-reference data from openbible.info (CC-BY).
Questions about Proverbs 11:20
What does Proverbs 11:20 say?
Proverbs 11:20 in the American Standard Version reads: “They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in their way are his delight.” Read it in the full context of Proverbs 11, alongside the classic commentary on this page.
Where is Proverbs 11:20 found in the Bible?
Proverbs 11:20 is in the book of Proverbs, chapter 11, verse 20, in the Old Testament.
What Bible translation is Proverbs 11:20 shown in?
This is the American Standard Version (ASV), a public-domain translation. You can compare how other translations render Proverbs 11:20 in the table on this page.
It concerns us to know what God hates and what he loves, that we may govern ourselves accordingly, may avoid his displeasure and recommend ourselves to his favour. Now here we are told, 1. That nothing is more offensive to God than hypocrisy and double-dealing, for these are signified by the word which we translate frowardness, pretending justice, but intending wrong, walking in crooked ways, to avoid discovery. Those are of a froward heart who act in contradiction to that which is good, under a profession of that which is good, and such are, more than any sinners, an abomination to the Lord, Isa 65:5. 2. That nothing is more pleasing to God than sincerity and plain-dealing: Such as are upright in their way, such as aim and act with integrity, such as have their conversation in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, these God delights in, these he even boasts of (Hast thou considered my servant Job?) and will have us to admire. Behold an Israelite indeed!