Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 20:11
11Even a child is known by his actions, whether his conduct is pure and upright.
Proverbs 20:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
- New International Version (NIV)Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?
- English Standard Version (ESV)Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.
Context of Proverbs 20:11
9Who can say: “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”? 10Unequal weights and measures— both are an abomination to Adonai. Even a child is known by his actions, whether his conduct is pure and upright. 12Ears that hear and eyes that see— Adonai has made them both. 13Do not love sleep, lest you become poor. Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:11 word by word
גַּ֣ם בְּ֭מַעֲלָלָיו יִתְנַכֶּר־נָ֑עַר אִם־זַ֖ךְ וְאִם־יָשָׁ֣ר פָּעֳלֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:11
- Proverbs 21:8The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.
- Proverbs 22:15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but a rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
- Psalms 51:5For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.
- Psalms 58:3No, in heart you devise injustice. Your hands weigh out violence on earth.
- Matthew 7:16You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes aren’t gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles, are they?
- Luke 1:15He will be great before Adonai; and he should not drink wine and intoxicating beverage, but he will be filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh just out of his mother’s womb.
- Luke 2:46After three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the center of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
- Luke 6:43“For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again does a rotten tree produce good fruit.
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Even a child is known by his doings - That is, in general terms, the effect shows the nature of the cause. "A childe is known by his conversation," says Coverdale. A child is easily detected when he has done evil; he immediately begins to excuse and vindicate himself, and profess his innocence, almost before accusation takes place. Some think the words should be understood, every child will dissemble; this amounts nearly to the meaning given above, But…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11The graces or the faults of children are not trifles. “The child is father of the man;” and the earliest actions are prophecies of the future, whether it will be pure and right, or unclean and evil.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11Verse 11 Parents should observe their children, that they may manage them accordingly.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. The conduct of children even is the best test of principle (compare Mt 7:16).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Tree of Life Version — © 2015 The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
Commentaries