Translation commentary on Proverbs 6:14

“With perverted heart devises evil”: “Perverted” is used of crooked speech or lies in 2.12. In reference to “heart” it refers more to thoughts and images of the mind which are evil. “Devises evil” is equivalent to the expression rendered “plan evil” in 3.29.

“Continually sowing discord” is literally “all the time sending forth strife,” which means to make trouble, cause difficulties, or stir up strife.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 6:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 6:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “This person arouses conflicts/strife and brings chaos with (his) words.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Their evil hearts only scheme evil,
    and they are always creating disputes.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “In their being-deceitful, they always plan to do bad/evil, and they start/stir-up trouble.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Trickery is what is stored in his mind, all evil are his purposes and he is the one who begins misunderstandings (lit. not mutually-understanding).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 6:14

6:14a–b

14a
With deceit in his heart he devises evil; 14b he continually sows discord: There are two ways to interpret the structure of this verse:

(1) Verse 6:14b is one of six expressions (6:12b–14b) that describe the scoundrel. For example:

14b and are always starting arguments (New Century Version)

(2) Verse 6:14b describes the main activity or purpose of the scoundrel, who is described in 6:12b–14a. For example:

14a Trickery in his heart, always scheming evil,

14b he sows dissension. (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and scholars.

6:14a

With deceit in his heart he devises evil: In Hebrew, the phrase With deceit in his heart is literally “overturnings in his heart.” It refers to the evil, trickery, or deceitfulness that is in a person’s mind or heart. Remember that in Hebrew, the heart refers primarily to a person’s ability to think and make decisions. See the notes on heart in 2:2a–b and 4:4a.

A person who devises evil makes evil plans that will cause harm to someone. Other ways to translate this line are:

They make evil plans in their hearts (New Century Version)
-or-
He devises evil…with a twisted mind (God’s Word)

6:14b

he continually sows discord: The word discord refers to quarrels or misunderstandings between people. The meaning of this phrase can be expressed as:

stir up trouble constantly (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
always starting arguments (New Century Version)

General Comment on 6:12–14

The Hebrews believed that the eye was the entrance to a person’s will, which was located in the heart. The hands and feet carried out the desires of the will, and the mouth expressed what was in the person’s thoughts and will. Together, these three areas of the body (heart and eyes, mouth, hands and feet) imply that the wicked person’s entire personality was evil. These three areas of the body also occur in the next paragraph.

You may want to add a footnote that supplies this information, since many readers will not be aware of these implications.

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