Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright? New Living Translation Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. English Standard Version Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. Berean Standard Bible Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright. King James Bible Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. New King James Version Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right. New American Standard Bible It is by his deeds that a boy distinguishes himself, If his conduct is pure and right. NASB 1995 It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right. NASB 1977 It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right. Legacy Standard Bible It is by his deeds that a young man makes himself known If his conduct is pure and right. Amplified Bible Even a boy is known and distinguished by his acts, Whether his conduct is pure and right. Christian Standard Bible Even a young man is known by his actions — by whether his behavior is pure and upright. Holman Christian Standard Bible Even a young man is known by his actions— if his behavior is pure and upright. American Standard Version Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Contemporary English Version The good or bad that children do shows what they are like. English Revised Version Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. GOD'S WORD® Translation Even a child makes himself known by his actions, whether his deeds are pure or right. Good News Translation Even children show what they are by what they do; you can tell if they are honest and good. International Standard Version Even a child is known by his actions, whether his deeds are pure and right. Majority Standard Bible Even a young man is known by his actions?whether his conduct is pure and upright. NET Bible Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right. New Heart English Bible Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right. Webster's Bible Translation Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right. World English Bible Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionEven by his actions a youth makes himself known, "" Whether his work is pure or upright. Young's Literal Translation Even by his actions a youth maketh himself known, Whether his work be pure or upright. Smith's Literal Translation Also a youth shall be known by his doings, if pure and straight his work. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBy his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right. Catholic Public Domain Version A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright. New American Bible In their actions even children can playact though their deeds be blameless and right. New Revised Standard Version Even children make themselves known by their acts, by whether what they do is pure and right. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleEven a child is known by his doings, whether his works are pure and whether they are right. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Even by his work a boy is known, if he is pure, and if his works are right. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Even a child is known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Brenton Septuagint Translation A youth when in company with a godly man, will be restrained in his devices, and then his way will be straight. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Wine is a Mocker…10Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD. 11Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright. 12Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both.… Cross References Matthew 7:16-20 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. / A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ... Luke 6:43-45 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. / For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles. / The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. James 3:11-12 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? / My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Matthew 12:33-35 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. / 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. 1 John 3:7-10 Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. / The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. / Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. ... Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Ephesians 5:8-10 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, / for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. / Test and prove what pleases the Lord. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Peter 2:12 Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. Colossians 1:10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, Psalm 15:1-2 A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain? / He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word. Jeremiah 17:10 I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve. Isaiah 3:10-11 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. Job 14:4 Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one! Treasury of Scripture Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Proverbs 21:8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Jump to Previous Actions Acts Child Conduct Deeds Doings Free Judged Lad Makes Maketh Pure Right Sin Upright Whether Work YouthJump to Next Actions Acts Child Conduct Deeds Doings Free Judged Lad Makes Maketh Pure Right Sin Upright Whether Work YouthProverbs 20 1. Proper LivingEven a young man is known by his actions— This phrase emphasizes the importance of actions over words, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible. In biblical times, character was often assessed by one's deeds rather than age or status. The Hebrew culture placed significant value on the reputation and actions of individuals, as seen in passages like 1 Samuel 16:7, where God tells Samuel that He looks at the heart rather than outward appearances. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 7:16-20). The emphasis on actions aligns with the biblical understanding that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). whether his conduct is pure and upright. Persons / Places / Events 1. Young ManThe term "young man" in this context refers to a youth or child, emphasizing that even at a young age, one's actions reveal character. The Hebrew word used here is "na'ar," which can mean a boy, lad, or youth, indicating someone who is still in the formative stages of life. 2. Actions This refers to the deeds or behaviors of the young man. The Hebrew word "ma'aseh" is used, which encompasses work, deeds, or actions, highlighting the importance of what one does. 3. Conduct This term relates to the manner in which the young man behaves. The Hebrew word "halikah" is used, which means way, path, or conduct, indicating the overall lifestyle or behavior pattern. 4. Purity and Uprightness These are the qualities by which the young man's actions are judged. "Pure" in Hebrew is "zak," meaning clean or innocent, and "upright" is "yashar," meaning straight or right, emphasizing moral integrity. Teaching Points Character Revealed Through ActionsOur actions are a reflection of our inner character. Even at a young age, what we do speaks volumes about who we are. Importance of Early Moral Development It is crucial to instill values of purity and uprightness in children and young people, as these will guide their actions and decisions. Consistency in Conduct Strive for consistency in your behavior, ensuring that your actions align with your professed beliefs and values. Role of Parents and Mentors Parents and mentors play a vital role in guiding young people towards a path of righteousness by setting examples and providing instruction. Self-Examination Regularly assess your actions and conduct to ensure they reflect purity and uprightness, making adjustments as necessary.(11) Even a child is known by his doings . . .--The disposition soon shews itself; all the more reason, therefore, to train it betimes.Verse 11. - Even a child is known (maketh himself known) by his doings. (For "even" (gam), see on Proverbs 17:26.) A child is open, simple, and straightforward in his actions; he has not the reserves and concealments which men practise, so you see by his conduct what his real character and disposition are. Ewald takes מעלליו in the sense of "play," "games;" but it seems never to have this meaning, and there is no need to change the usual signification. The habits of a life are learned in early age. The boy is father of the man. Delitzsch quotes the German proverbs, "What means to become a hook bends itself early," and "What means to become a thorn sharpens itself early;" and the Aramaean, "That which will become a gourd shows itself in the bud:" Whether his work be pure ("clean," as ver. 9 and Proverbs 16:2), and whether it be right. His conduct will show thus much, end will help one to prognosticate the future. Septuagint (according to the Vatican), "In his pursuits (ἐπιήδευμασιν) a young man will be fettered in company with a holy man, and his way will be straight," which seems to mean that a good man will restrain the reckless doings of a giddy youth, and will lead him into better courses. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Evenגַּ֣ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and a young man נָ֑עַר (nā·‘ar) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer is known יִתְנַכֶּר־ (yiṯ·nak·ker-) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5234: To regard, recognize by his actions— בְּ֭מַעֲלָלָיו (bə·ma·‘ă·lā·lāw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4611: A deed, practice whether אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not his conduct פָּעֳלֽוֹ׃ (pā·‘o·lōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6467: Doing, deed, work is pure זַ֖ךְ (zaḵ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2134: Pure, clean and upright. יָשָׁ֣ר (yā·šār) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 3477: Straight, right Links Proverbs 20:11 NIVProverbs 20:11 NLT Proverbs 20:11 ESV Proverbs 20:11 NASB Proverbs 20:11 KJV Proverbs 20:11 BibleApps.com Proverbs 20:11 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 20:11 Chinese Bible Proverbs 20:11 French Bible Proverbs 20:11 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:11 Even a child makes himself known (Prov. 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