THE LORD SEARCHES THE SPIRIT OF A MAN

Passage: Proverbs 20:18-30

Key verse: 27

NIV

18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
    so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(A)

19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(B)
    so avoid anyone who talks too much.

20 If someone curses their father or mother,(C)
    their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.(D)

21 An inheritance claimed too soon
    will not be blessed at the end.

22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”(E)
    Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.(F)

23 The Lord detests differing weights,
    and dishonest scales do not please him.(G)

24 A person’s steps are directed(H) by the Lord.(I)
    How then can anyone understand their own way?(J)

25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
    and only later to consider one’s vows.(K)

26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
    he drives the threshing wheel over them.(L)

27 The human spirit is[a] the lamp of the Lord(M)
    that sheds light on one’s inmost being.(N)

28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
    through love(O) his throne is made secure.(P)

29 The glory of young men is their strength,
    gray hair the splendor of the old.(Q)

30 Blows and wounds scrub(R) away evil,
    and beatings(S) purge the inmost being.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

18 (A)Plans are established by counsel;
    by (B)wise guidance (C)wage war.
19 Whoever (D)goes about slandering reveals secrets;
    therefore do not associate with (E)a simple babbler.[a]
20 (F)If one curses his father or his mother,
    (G)his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
21 (H)An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, (I)“I will repay evil”;
    (J)wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
23 (K)Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord,
    and (L)false scales are not good.
24 A man's (M)steps are from the Lord;
    how then can man understand his way?
25 It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
    and to reflect only (N)after making vows.
26 A wise king (O)winnows the wicked
    and drives (P)the wheel over them.
27 (Q)The spirit[b] of man is the lamp of the Lord,
    (R)searching all (S)his innermost parts.
28 (T)Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
    and by steadfast love his (U)throne is upheld.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
    but (V)the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 (W)Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
    strokes make clean (X)the innermost parts.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 20:19 Hebrew with one who is simple in his lips
  2. Proverbs 20:27 Hebrew breath
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Wait for the Lord (18-24) God wants us to ask his advice and guidance before making plans. He wants us to avoid gossip, to honor our parents and not to depend on easy gain. He wants us not to avenge wrongdoings but wait for the Lord. He detests differing weights and double-mindedness. He leads our steps. Praise the Lord who guides us. 2. The Lord searches our inmost being (25-3 ) The lamp of the Lord searches our inmost thoughts. God wants us to be loving and faithful. Young men should use their strength and the old must use their mature wisdom to glorify God. We should train ourselves with blows and beatings till our inmost being is purged.

Prayer: Lord, search my inmost being so that I may live a God-centered life.

One Word: Live before God.