Proverbs 20:6

6 Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?

Proverbs 20:6 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
English Standard Version (ESV)
6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?
New Living Translation (NLT)
6 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?
The Message Bible (MSG)
6 Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving, but where on earth can you find one?
American Standard Version (ASV)
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
6 Many people declare themselves loyal, but who can find someone who is [really] trustworthy?
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
6 Many claim to have love that never fails. But who can find a faithful man?

Proverbs 20:6 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 20:6

Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness
As the Pharisee did, in ( Luke 18:11 Luke 18:12 ) ; and as the Pharisees in common did; who did all their works to be seen of men, and made clean the outside of the cup and platter; and were very careful to appear outwardly righteous to men, ( Matthew 23:5 Matthew 23:25 Matthew 23:28 ) . And indeed this is the general cast of men; everyone is proclaiming his goodness to others, and would be thought to be good men; and cannot be easy with doing a good action, unless it is known, and particularly acts of beneficence and alms deeds; and are like the Pharisees, who, on such occasions, sounded a trumpet before them, ( Matthew 6:2 ) . And the word may be rendered, "his mercy" {b}, or his kindness to the poor: the Targum renders it,

``many of the children of men are called merciful men;''
and so the Vulgate Latin version; and they like to be so called and accounted, whether they are so or not; but a faithful man who can find?
who answers to the character he gives of himself, or others upon his own representation give him; who is as good as his word, and, having promised assistance and relief, gives it; and who, having boasted that he has done a kindness to such an one and such an one, does the same likewise to another when applied to; or who sticks to his friend, and does not forsake him in his adversity, but supports and supplies him whom he knew in prosperity; it is hard and rare to find such a man; see ( Psalms 12:1 ) . Or, though every man is talking of his good works, and boasting of his goodness, it is difficult to find an Israelite indeed, in whom the true grace of God is.
FOOTNOTES:

F2 (wdox) "misericordiam suam", Pagninus, so some in Vatablus; "unius cujusque misericordiam", Mercerus, Gejerus.

Proverbs 20:6 In-Context

4 Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
7 The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.
8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

Cross References 1

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