Proverbs 16:30
New International Version
Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

New Living Translation
With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

English Standard Version
Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

Berean Standard Bible
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

King James Bible
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

New King James Version
He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.

New American Standard Bible
He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

NASB 1995
He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

NASB 1977
He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

Amplified Bible
He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things; And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass.

Christian Standard Bible
The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

American Standard Version
He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

Contemporary English Version
When someone winks or grins behind your back, trouble is on the way.

English Revised Version
He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise froward things: he that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious. Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work.

Good News Translation
Watch out for people who grin and wink at you; they have thought of something evil.

International Standard Version
Whoever winks knowingly is plotting deceit; anyone who purses his lips is bent towards evil.

Majority Standard Bible
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

NET Bible
The one who winks his eyes devises perverse things, and one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

New Heart English Bible
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

Webster's Bible Translation
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

World English Bible
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Consulting his eyes to devise contrary things, "" Moving his lips he has accomplished evil.

Young's Literal Translation
Consulting his eyes to devise froward things, Moving his lips he hath accomplished evil.

Smith's Literal Translation
Closing his eyes to purpose perverseness: biting his lips he completed evil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that with fixed eyes deviseth?? wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.

New American Bible
Whoever winks an eye plans perversity; whoever purses the lips does evil.

New Revised Standard Version
One who winks the eyes plans perverse things; one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He winks his eyes and devises corrupt things; he purposes with his lips and accomplishes mischief.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He winks with his eyes and devises perversions; he makes plans with his lips and perfects evil.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He shutteth his eyes, it is to devise froward things; He that biteth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
29A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. 30He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. 31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.…

Cross References
Psalm 36:4
Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.

Micah 2:1
Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.

Isaiah 32:7
The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.

Psalm 10:7
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.

Matthew 12:34-35
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

James 3:6
The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Romans 3:14
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

Psalm 64:5-6
They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say. / They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.

Isaiah 59:3-4
For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. / No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.

Jeremiah 9:8
Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.

Matthew 15:18-19
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. / For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Mark 7:21-22
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness.

Proverbs 6:12-14
A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, / winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. / With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.

Proverbs 4:16
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

Proverbs 24:8
He who plots evil will be called a schemer.


Treasury of Scripture

He shuts his eyes to devise fraudulent things: moving his lips he brings evil to pass.

shutteth

Proverbs 6:12-14
A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth…

Proverbs 10:10
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Isaiah 6:10
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

moving

Proverbs 16:27
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

Micah 7:3
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

Matthew 14:7,8
Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask…

Jump to Previous
Accomplished Bent Biteth Biting Devise Evil Eye Eyes Froward Keeps Lips Makes Moving Perverse Perversities Perversity Plans Plot Plotting Purposes Purses Shut Shutteth Tight Twisted Winks
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Accomplished Bent Biteth Biting Devise Evil Eye Eyes Froward Keeps Lips Makes Moving Perverse Perversities Perversity Plans Plot Plotting Purposes Purses Shut Shutteth Tight Twisted Winks
Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














He who winks his eye
The act of winking in this context is not a playful gesture but a subtle sign of deceit and cunning. In the Hebrew culture, as reflected in the original text, winking was often associated with secretive or malicious intentions. The Hebrew word "qarats" implies a narrowing or pinching, suggesting a deliberate and calculated action. This phrase warns against those who use non-verbal cues to manipulate or deceive others, highlighting the importance of integrity and transparency in one's actions.

devises perversity
The Hebrew word for "devises" is "chashab," which means to think, plan, or calculate. It indicates a premeditated action, a conscious decision to engage in wrongdoing. "Perversity" comes from the Hebrew "tahpukah," which refers to something twisted or distorted. This phrase underscores the moral corruption that arises from intentional deceit, reminding believers of the importance of aligning their thoughts and plans with God's righteousness.

he who purses his lips
Pursing the lips is another non-verbal gesture that, in this context, signifies disapproval, contempt, or the harboring of secretive intentions. The Hebrew word "qapats" suggests a tightening or compressing, indicating restraint or suppression of true intentions. This phrase serves as a caution against those who conceal their true motives, emphasizing the value of honesty and openness in communication.

is bent on evil
The phrase "bent on evil" translates from the Hebrew "kalah ra," where "kalah" means to complete or finish, and "ra" signifies evil or wickedness. This indicates a determined and resolute pursuit of malevolent goals. The verse concludes with a stark warning about the dangers of allowing one's heart and mind to be consumed by evil intentions, urging believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to goodness and to guard their hearts against the allure of sin.

(30) He shutteth his eyes. . . .--By the movement of eyes and lips he gives the signal for mischief to his confederates. (Comp. Proverbs 6:13.)

Verse 30. - This verse is better taken as one sentence (so the Septuagint), and translated, as Nowack, "He that shutteth his eyes in order to contrive froward things, he that compresseth his lips, hath already brought evil to pass;" he has virtually effected it. From such a crafty, malignant man you need not expect any more open tokens of his intentions. He shutteth his eyes (comp. Isaiah 33:15); either that he may better think out his evil plans, or else he cannot look his neighbour in the face while he is plotting against him. The Vulgate has, attonitis oculis; Septuagint, "fixing (στηρίζων) his eyes." Moving his lips; rather, he who compresseth his lips, to hide the malignant smile with which he might greet his neighbour's calamity (comp. Proverbs 6:13, etc.; Proverbs 10:10), or that neither by word nor expression he may betray his thoughts. Others take the two outward expressions mentioned as signals to confederates; but this is not so suitable, as they are the man's own feelings and sentiments that are meant. One who gives these tokens bringeth evil to pass; he has perfected his designs, and deems them as good as accomplished, and you will do well to note what his bearing signifies. Some take the meaning to be, brings punishment on himself; but the warning is not given for the sinner's sake. Septuagint, "He defines (ὀρίζει) all evils with his lips; he is a furnace of evil."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He who winks
עֹצֶ֣ה (‘ō·ṣeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6095: To fasten, to close

his eye
עֵ֭ינָיו (‘ê·nāw)
Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

devises
לַחְשֹׁ֣ב (laḥ·šōḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2803: To think, account

perversity;
תַּהְפֻּכ֑וֹת (tah·pu·ḵō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8419: Perversity, perverse thing

he who purses
קֹרֵ֥ץ (qō·rêṣ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7169: To pinch, to bite the lips, blink the eyes, to squeeze off

his lips
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו (p̄ā·ṯāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

is bent on
כִּלָּ֥ה (kil·lāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent

evil.
רָעָֽה׃ (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:30 One who winks his eyes to plot (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 16:29
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