Proverbs 27:19
New International Version
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.

New Living Translation
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.

English Standard Version
As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

Berean Standard Bible
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.

King James Bible
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

New King James Version
As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man.

New American Standard Bible
As in water a face reflects the face, So the heart of a person reflects the person.

NASB 1995
As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.

NASB 1977
As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.

Legacy Standard Bible
As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.

Amplified Bible
As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.

Christian Standard Bible
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.

American Standard Version
As in water face answereth to face, So the heart of man to man.

Contemporary English Version
You see your face in a mirror and your thoughts in the minds of others.

English Revised Version
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As a face is reflected in water, so a person is reflected by his heart.

Good News Translation
It is your own face that you see reflected in the water and it is your own self that you see in your heart.

International Standard Version
Just as water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.

Majority Standard Bible
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.

NET Bible
As in water the face is reflected as a face, so a person's heart reflects the person.

New Heart English Bible
As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Webster's Bible Translation
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

World English Bible
Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
As [in] water the face [is] to face, "" So the heart of man to man.

Young's Literal Translation
As in water the face is to face, So the heart of man to man.

Smith's Literal Translation
As in water, face to face, so the heart of man to man.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As the faces of them that look therein, shine in the water, so the hearts of men are laid open to the wise.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In the manner of faces looking into shining water, so are the hearts of men made manifest to the prudent.

New American Bible
As face mirrors face in water, so the heart reflects the person.

New Revised Standard Version
Just as water reflects the face, so one human heart reflects another.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As faces do not resemble faces, so hearts do not resemble hearts.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
As faces are not alike, so hearts are not alike.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
As in water face answereth to face, So the heart of man to man.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
As faces are not like other faces, so neither are the thoughts of men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do not Boast about Tomorrow
18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. 19As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man. 20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.…

Cross References
James 1:23-24
For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

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.

Luke 6:45
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.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

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 4:22-24
to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; / to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; / and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Jeremiah 17:9-10
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? / I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. / See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.

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.”

Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.


Treasury of Scripture

As in water face answers to face, so the heart of man to man.

in

James 1:22-25
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves…

so

Genesis 6:5
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Psalm 33:15
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

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Proverbs 27
1. observations of self love
5. of true love
11. of care to avoid offenses
23. and of the household care














As water reflects the face
The imagery of water reflecting a face is a powerful metaphor that draws from the natural world. In ancient times, still water served as a mirror, providing a clear reflection. The Hebrew word for "reflects" is "panim," which also means "face" or "presence." This dual meaning suggests a deeper connection between the physical reflection and the inner essence of a person. The reflection in water is immediate and unaltered, symbolizing truth and clarity. In a spiritual sense, this phrase invites believers to consider how their true selves are reflected in their actions and relationships, just as a face is reflected in water.

so the heart reflects the man
The heart, in Hebrew "leb," is often understood as the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. It is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's identity and moral character. This phrase suggests that just as water provides an accurate reflection of one's physical appearance, the heart reveals the true nature of a person. In a biblical context, the heart is where God looks to discern the authenticity of one's faith and intentions. This reflection is not always visible to others but is known to God, who judges the heart. The verse challenges believers to cultivate a heart that reflects Christ-like virtues, understanding that their inner life shapes their outward actions and ultimately defines who they are.

(19) So the heart of man (answereth) to man.--What is in our own hearts we find in others also. Whatever are the distinguishing features of our own characters we discover and elicit the same in others. The merciful, the generous, the devout, the pure, recognise the same qualities in others, and themselves feel and receive sympathy from such persons. So the evil, too, find themselves in harmony with those of like disposition.

Verse 19. - As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man; Vulgate, Quomodo in aquis resplendent vultus prospicientium, sic corda hominum manifesta sunt prudentibus. As in clear water the face of the gazer is reflected, so man finds in his fellow man the same feelings, sentiments, passions, which he has himself. He sees in others the likeness of himself; whatever he knows himself to be, he will see others presenting the same character. Self-knowledge, too, leads to insight into others' minds; "for what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" (1 Corinthians 2:11). There is a solidarity in human nature which enables us to judge of others by ourselves. The difficulties in the construction and wording of the sentence do not affect the interpretation. They are, however, best met by rendering, with Delitzsch, "As it is with water, face corresponds to face, so also the heart of man to man." Septuagint, "As faces are not like faces, so neither are the thoughts of men;" which is like the saying of Persius, 'Sat.,' 5:52 -

"Mille hominum species, et rerum discolor usus;
Velle suum cuique est, nec voto vivitur uno."


Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As water
כַּ֭מַּיִם (kam·ma·yim)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

reflects the face,
הַפָּנִ֣ים (hap·pā·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

so
כֵּ֤ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

the heart
לֵֽב־ (lêḇ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

reflects the true man.
הָ֝אָדָ֗ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects a face so (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 27:18
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