Proverbs 22:11

11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.

Proverbs 22:11 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
English Standard Version (ESV)
11 He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.
The Message Bible (MSG)
11 God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken; good leaders also delight in their friendship.
American Standard Version (ASV)
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, [For] the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
11 Whoever loves a pure heart and whoever speaks graciously has a king as his friend.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
11 The one who loves a pure heart and gracious lips-the king is his friend.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
11 Have a pure and loving heart, and speak kindly. Then you will be a friend of the king.

Proverbs 22:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:11

He that loveth pureness of heart
Though man's heart is naturally impure, and all that is in it, the thoughts, affections, mind, conscience, understanding, and will; yet there is such a thing as pureness of heart; as where the grace of God is; where there it pure love to God, Christ, and to holy and heavenly things and persons; where there is pure and unfeigned faith in Christ, and a purifying hope of eternal life by him; where the Holy Spirit dwells as a sanctifier, and Christ dwells by faith; where there is sincerity and integrity; and where the heart is sprinkled by the blood of Christ from an evil conscience: and, though none are entirely free from impurity of flesh and spirit, yet every good man hates the impurity that is in him, and loves purity, and is desirous of it, and makes use of all means for it; and he loves a man of a pure heart, as Aben Ezra interprets it; he loves pureness of heart in himself and others. Some versions understand this of God: the Septuagint and Arabic versions are, "God loveth holy hearts"; and so the Targum,

``God loveth the pure in heart:''
the Syriac version differs,
``he loves God that is pure in heart;''
but all wrong; the sense is as before given; [for] the grace of his lips;
or, "grace [is in] his lips"; or, "his lips [are] grace" F26, or gracious; as the lips of Christ, though in a greater measure and degree, ( Psalms 45:2 ) ; as is a man's heart, so are his lips, A man of a pure heart will speak a pure language; a good man will talk of good things; a wise man of wisdom, and a gracious man of the grace of God; of the doctrines of grace he has received; of the blessings of grace bestowed on him; of the promises of grace applied unto him; of the experiences of grace he has been favoured with; of things grateful and acceptable to others, which minister grace, and are to the use of edifying; the king [shall be] his friend;
carry himself friendly to him, admit him to familiarity with him, take him into his court, and make him of his privy council; this is what a king should do, and what a wise and good king will do, and it is his interest so to do: a man of an upright heart, and of a graceful speech, is or should be regarded by princes; as Hushai the Archite by David; and Daniel even by Nebuchadnezzar, a Heathen king. Jarchi's note is,
``the holy blessed God loves and embraces him;''
and this sense may very well be received: the Lord loves purity of heart; he is good to them that are of a clean heart; he loves graceful lips, or lips speaking grace, in prayer, praise, or Christian conversation: he is a friend to such; to the pure he shows himself pure; the pure in heart shall see him, and ever dwell with him: Christ, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, loves purity and righteousness, and hates iniquity; the lips of his people are pleasing to him, they are like a thread of scarlet; he loves to hear their voice, especially speaking of his own grace; he is a friend unto them, one that loves at all times, and sticks closer than a brother.
FOOTNOTES:

F26 (wytpv Nx) "gratia sunt labia ejus", De Dieu, Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens; "cujus labia sunt grata", i.e. "gratiosa", Mercerus; "gratia in labiis ejus est", some in Vatablus.

Proverbs 22:11 In-Context

9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.
11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.
12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!”

Cross References 1

  • 1. Proverbs 16:13; Matthew 5:8
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