Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? New Living Translation Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? English Standard Version Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? Berean Standard Bible Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man? King James Bible Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? New King James Version Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? New American Standard Bible Many a person proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy person? NASB 1995 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man? NASB 1977 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man? Legacy Standard Bible Many a man will call out his own lovingkindness, But a faithful man, who can find? Amplified Bible Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness, But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man? Christian Standard Bible Many a person proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy person? Holman Christian Standard Bible Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? American Standard Version Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find? Contemporary English Version There are many who say, "You can trust me!" But can they be trusted? English Revised Version Most men wilt proclaim every one his own kindness: but a faithful man who can find? GOD'S WORD® Translation Many people declare themselves loyal, but who can find someone who is [really] trustworthy? Good News Translation Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful he is, but just try to find someone who really is! International Standard Version Many claim "I'm a loyal person!" but who can find someone who truly is? Majority Standard Bible Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man? NET Bible Many people profess their loyalty, but a faithful person--who can find? New Heart English Bible Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man? Webster's Bible Translation Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? World English Bible Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionA multitude of men each proclaim his kindness, "" And a man of steadfastness who finds? Young's Literal Translation A multitude of men proclaim each his kindness, And a man of stedfastness who doth find? Smith's Literal Translation The multitude of man will call each his mercy: and a man of faithfulness who shall find? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMany men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man? Catholic Public Domain Version Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man? New American Bible Many say, “My loyal friend,” but who can find someone worthy of trust? New Revised Standard Version Many proclaim themselves loyal, but who can find one worthy of trust? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleMany men are considered merciful; but a faithful man who can find? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Many of the sons of men are called compassionate men, but who finds a trustworthy man? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; But a faithful man who can find? Brenton Septuagint Translation A man is valuable, and a merciful man precious: but it is hard to find a faithful man. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Wine is a Mocker…5The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. 6Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man? 7The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.… Cross References Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ Luke 18:9-14 To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: / “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ... James 2:14-17 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ... 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. Matthew 15:8 ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. 1 Corinthians 4:2 Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. Psalm 12:1-2 For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. / They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” Matthew 23:27-28 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! Romans 2:28-29 A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. Treasury of Scripture Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? proclaim Proverbs 25:14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. goodness Psalm 12:1 To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. Ecclesiastes 7:28 Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. Jeremiah 5:1 Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. Jump to Previous Acts Claim Claims Faith Faithful Find Good Goodness Kind Kindness Love Multitude Proclaim Proclaims Secret Stedfastness Trustworthy UnfailingJump to Next Acts Claim Claims Faith Faithful Find Good Goodness Kind Kindness Love Multitude Proclaim Proclaims Secret Stedfastness Trustworthy UnfailingProverbs 20 1. Proper LivingMany a man proclaims his loving devotion This phrase highlights the common human tendency to boast about one's own virtues, particularly loyalty and love. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, public declarations of loyalty were often made to establish one's reputation and social standing. This is similar to the modern concept of virtue signaling, where individuals express certain values to gain approval. The Bible frequently warns against empty words and encourages genuine actions (James 2:14-17). The Hebrew word for "loving devotion" here is "chesed," which implies steadfast love and faithfulness, qualities that God Himself embodies (Exodus 34:6-7). This sets a high standard for human relationships, reflecting God's covenantal love. but who can find a trustworthy man? Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human nature and relationships are reflected in this verse. 2. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is rooted in ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction. 3. The Trustworthy Man This is a conceptual figure representing the ideal of faithfulness and reliability, which is rare according to the proverb. Teaching Points The Nature of True DevotionTrue devotion is not just about words but is demonstrated through consistent, faithful actions. The Rarity of Trustworthiness In a world where many claim loyalty, genuine trustworthiness is a rare and valuable trait. Self-Examination Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives to see if their actions align with their proclaimed devotion to God and others. The Importance of Integrity Integrity is foundational to Christian character and witness. It involves being the same person in private as in public. Seeking God’s Help Recognizing our own shortcomings, we should seek God’s help to cultivate a heart of true faithfulness and reliability.(6) Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness.--Will be full of his benevolent intentions, "but a faithful man," who carries out these promises, "who can find?"Verse 6. - Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; chesed, "kindness," "mercy," "liberality," as in Proverbs 19:22. So Ewald and others, Hitzig and Kamphausen translate, "Many a man one names his dear friend;" Delitzsch and Nowack prefer, "Most men meet a man who is gracious to them;" i.e. it is common enough to meet a man who seems benevolent and well disposed. Vulgate, "Many men are called merciful;" Septuagint, "Man is a great thing, and a merciful man is a precious thing." The renderings of most modern commentators imply the statement that love and mercy are common enough, at least in outward expression. The Authorized Version pronounces that men are ready enough to parade and boast of their liberality, like the hypocrites who were said proverbially to sound a trumpet when they performed their almsdeeds (Matthew 6:2). Commenting on the Greek rendering of the clause given above, St. Chrysostom observes, "This is the true character of man to be merciful; yea, rather the character of God to show mercy... Those who answer not to this description, though they partake of mind, and are never so capable of knowledge, the Scripture refuses to acknowledge them as men, but calls them dogs, and horses, and serpents, and foxes, and wolves, and if there be any animals more contemptible" ('Hom. 4 in Phil.' and 'Hom. 13 in 1 Tim.,' Oxford transl.). The contrast between show, or promise, and performance is developed in the second clause. But a faithful man who can find? The faithfulness intended is fidelity to promises, the practical execution of the vaunted benevolence; this is rare indeed, so that a psalmist could cry, "I said in my haste, All men are liars" (Psalm 116:11; comp. Romans 3:4). Lesetre refers to Massillon's sermon, 'Sur la Gloire Humaine,' where we read (the preacher, of course, rests on the Latin Version), "Ces hommes vertueux dont le monde se fait tant d'honneur, n'ont au fond souvent pour eux que l'erreur publique. Amis fideles, je le veux; mais c'est le gout, la vanite ou Pin teret, qui les lie; et dans leur amis, ils n'amient qu' eux-memes En un mot, dit l'Ecriture, on les appelle misericordieux, ils ont toutes les vertus pour le public; mais n'etant pas fideles a Dieu, ils n'en ont pas une seule pour eux-memes." Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Manyרָב־ (rāḇ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness a man אָדָ֗ם (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being proclaims יִ֭קְרָא (yiq·rā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read his אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person loving devotion, חַסְדּ֑וֹ (ḥas·dōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty but who מִ֣י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix can find יִמְצָֽא׃ (yim·ṣā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present a trustworthy אֱ֝מוּנִ֗ים (’ĕ·mū·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 529: Established, trusty, trustworthiness man? וְאִ֥ישׁ (wə·’îš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person Links Proverbs 20:6 NIVProverbs 20:6 NLT Proverbs 20:6 ESV Proverbs 20:6 NASB Proverbs 20:6 KJV Proverbs 20:6 BibleApps.com Proverbs 20:6 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 20:6 Chinese Bible Proverbs 20:6 French Bible Proverbs 20:6 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:6 Many men claim to be men (Prov. 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