Proverbs 11:20

Lexham English Bible

²⁰An abomination of Yahweh are the crooked of heart,^[a]
but his delight are those with blameless ways.^[b]

Proverbs 11:20 Literally “crooked ones of heart”; “heart” may also be translated “mind”
Proverbs 11:20 Literally “blameless ones of ways”

Proverbs 11:20

New English Translation

²⁰The Lord abhors^[a] those who are perverse in heart,^[b]
but those who are blameless in their ways^[c] are his delight.^[d]

Proverbs 11:20 tn Heb “an abomination of the Lord.” The term יְהוָה (y^ehvah, “the Lord”) functions as a subjective genitive. Cf. NIV “detests”; NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT “hates.”
Proverbs 11:20 sn The word עִקְּשֵׁי (ʿiqq^eshe, “crooked; twisted; perverted”) describes the wicked as having “twisted minds.” Their mentality is turned toward evil things.
Proverbs 11:20 tn Heb “those who are blameless of way.” The noun דֶּרֶךְ (derekh, “way”) is a genitive of specification: “blameless in their way.”
Proverbs 11:20 sn The noun means “goodwill, favor, acceptance, will”; it is related to the verb רָצַה (ratsah) which means “to be pleased with; to accept favorably.” These words are used frequently in scripture to describe what pleases the Lord, meaning, what he accepts. In particular, sacrifices offered properly find acceptance with God (Ps 51:19). Here the lifestyle that is blameless pleases him.

²⁰He who is crooked of heart^[a] will not find goodness,
and he who is perverse, by his tongue he will fall into calamity.

²⁰The one who has a perverse heart^[a] does not find good,^[b]
and the one who is deceitful in speech^[c] falls into trouble.

Proverbs 17:20 tn The verse parallels two descriptions of the wicked person: “crooked/perverse of heart” (genitive of specification), and “turned away in his tongue” (deceitful). The first phrase describes twisted intentions. The second, using the Niphal participle (“one turned away”) with “tongue,” the metonymy of cause, describes one who has turned away from speaking truth. Cf. NLT “the twisted tongue tumbles into trouble.”
Proverbs 17:20 tn The phrase “does not find good” is a figure (tapeinosis) meaning, “will experience calamity.” The wicked person can expect trouble ahead.
Proverbs 17:20 tn Heb “tongue”; NIV “whose tongue is deceitful.”

Lexham English Bible (LEB)

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New English Translation (NET)