Proverbs 20:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

NIV: The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.

NASB: A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water, But a person of understanding draws it out.

CSB: Counsel in a person's heart is deep water; but a person of understanding draws it out.

NLT: Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.

KJV: Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

NKJV: Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.

Even in modern language, ideas which require clearer thought to understand are described as "deep." When something is sunken under water, it is harder to access, more difficult to see, and requires more effort to bring up. In this proverb, Solomon is using this imagery in one or more ways.

Human motives are not always clear, even to the person themselves. A wise person can draw them out of himself through thought and prayer. Or he can help another uncover them by counseling him. Even outside of counseling, motives, intentions, thoughts, and expectations can sometimes be discerned by a wise person. God has placed in the church gifted individuals who can assist others by leading them into a correct understanding of those inner aspects of motivation.

Everything that lies in a person's heart needs to conform to God's standards and plans. God does not leave us alone in this. In addition to wise counselors in the church, the Holy Spirit searches the heart and convicts believers of sin—whatever is contrary to God's standards and plans. He helps believers know the truth (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13–15). Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:11–13: "For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."

In this section of Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 10:1), he again discusses a wide range of subjects. These echo many of the common themes of the book of Proverbs. Solomon warns against foolishness (Proverbs 1:7), hastiness, angering authorities, and the consequences of sin and dishonesty. Several references condemn dishonest business dealings. Others note the value of diligence in making decisions.

This chapter of Proverbs belongs to the second division of the book that extends from Proverbs chapter 10 to chapter 22, in which there are nearly 400 wise sayings. Proverbs 20 continues the collection of Solomon's wise sayings. In this chapter Solomon focuses on numerous things which harm the unwise. Among them are laziness, wrong values, and bad decisions.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.