Proverbs 6:18
New International Version
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,

New Living Translation
a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,

English Standard Version
a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,

Berean Standard Bible
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil,

King James Bible
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

New King James Version
A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,

New American Standard Bible
A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil,

NASB 1995
A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil,

NASB 1977
A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil,

Legacy Standard Bible
A heart that devises wicked thoughts, Feet that hasten to run to evil,

Amplified Bible
A heart that creates wicked plans, Feet that run swiftly to evil,

Christian Standard Bible
a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil,

American Standard Version
A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief,

Contemporary English Version
those who make evil plans or are quick to do wrong,

English Revised Version
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
a mind devising wicked plans, feet that are quick to do wrong,

International Standard Version
a heart crafting evil plans, feet running swiftly to wickedness,

Majority Standard Bible
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil,

NET Bible
a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil,

New Heart English Bible
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief,

Webster's Bible Translation
A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief,

World English Bible
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A heart devising thoughts of vanity, "" Feet hastening to run to evil,

Young's Literal Translation
A heart devising thoughts of vanity -- Feet hasting to run to evil --

Smith's Literal Translation
A heart fabricating purposes of iniquity; feet being quick to run to evil,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A heart that deviseth wicked plots, feet that are swift to run into mischief,

Catholic Public Domain Version
a heart that devises the most wicked thoughts, feet running swiftly unto evil,

New American Bible
A heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that are quick to run to evil,

New Revised Standard Version
a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The heart that makes plans of depravity and feet that hasten to run to evil,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A heart that deviseth wicked thoughts, Feet that are swift in running to evil;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and a heart devising evil thoughts, and feet hastening to do evil, - are hateful to God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Warnings Against Foolishness
17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, 19a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

Genesis 6:5
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.

Romans 1:28-31
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...

Isaiah 59:7
Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Psalm 36:4
Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.

Romans 3:15-18
“Their feet are swift to shed blood; / ruin and misery lie in their wake, / and the way of peace they have not known.” ...

Micah 2:1
Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.

Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Isaiah 65:2
All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Psalm 140:2
who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

Ephesians 4:17-19
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. / They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. / Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.


Treasury of Scripture

An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

heart

Proverbs 24:8
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

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 36:4
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

feet

Proverbs 1:16
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Isaiah 59:7
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

Romans 3:15
Their feet are swift to shed blood:

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Designs Devises Deviseth Devising Evil Feet Full Haste Hasting Heart Imaginations Mischief Plans Purposes Quick Rapidly Run Running Rush Schemes Sin Swift Thoughts Vanity Wicked
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Designs Devises Deviseth Devising Evil Feet Full Haste Hasting Heart Imaginations Mischief Plans Purposes Quick Rapidly Run Running Rush Schemes Sin Swift Thoughts Vanity Wicked
Proverbs 6
1. against indebtedness
6. idleness
12. and mischievousness
16. seven things detestable to God
20. the blessings of obedience
25. the mischief of unfaithfulness














a heart that devises wicked schemes
The "heart" in Hebrew is "לֵב" (lev), which often represents the center of one's inner life, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will. In the biblical context, the heart is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of moral and spiritual life. A heart that "devises" (from the Hebrew "חָרַשׁ" - charash) implies intentional planning or plotting. This is not a momentary lapse but a deliberate and continuous action. "Wicked schemes" (from "מַחֲשָׁבוֹת רָע" - machashavot ra) suggests plans that are morally corrupt and harmful. Historically, the wisdom literature of the Bible often contrasts the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing that God detests not just the actions but the very intentions that lead to sin. This phrase serves as a warning against allowing one's inner life to become a breeding ground for evil, urging believers to cultivate purity of heart.

feet that run swiftly to evil
"Feet" in this context symbolize the actions and paths one chooses in life. The Hebrew word "רַגְלַיִם" (raglayim) is often used metaphorically to describe one's journey or conduct. "Run swiftly" (from "מָהַר" - mahar) indicates eagerness and haste, suggesting a lack of restraint or consideration. This phrase paints a vivid picture of someone who not only chooses evil but does so with zeal and urgency. "Evil" (from "רַע" - ra) encompasses anything that is contrary to God's nature and commands. In the historical and scriptural context, this reflects the broader biblical theme of the path of righteousness versus the path of wickedness. The imagery of swift feet underscores the danger of becoming desensitized to sin, highlighting the need for vigilance and self-control. It serves as a call to believers to examine their actions and ensure they align with God's will, avoiding the allure of sin that can lead one astray.

(18) Feet that be swift in running to mischief.--Who do not yield to temptation after a struggle against it, but give themselves up as willing slaves to their lusts.

(l). Twelfth Discourse:--Against Adultery (Proverbs 6:20-35).

Verse 18. - The fourth thing is an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations. "Wicked imaginations" are literally "thoughts of iniquity;" Hebrew, makh'sh'voth aven; Vulgate, cogitationes pessimas; LXX., λογισμοὺς κακοὺς. The same expression in Isaiah 59:7 is rendered "thoughts of iniquity." (On deviseth, Hebrew khoresh, see ver. 14 and ch. 3:29.) The thought is a repetition of ver. 14a. There are evil thoughts in all men's hearts; but the devising, fabricating of them, and thus making the heart into a devil's workshop, is the mark of utter depravity and wickedness, and is abhorrent to God. The devices of the heart, though planned in secret, are clear to him "to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are bid." The peculiar position which the heart occupies in the enumeration is to be accounted for on the ground that it is the fountain, not only of those vices which have been already mentioned, but of those which follow. The fifth thing is feet that be swift in running to mischief. Again we are reminded of Isaiah 59:7, "Their feet run to evil." "Mischief" (Hebrew, ra) is a re-echo of ver. 14 and Proverbs 1:16. "To run to mischief" is to carry out with alacrity and without delay what has already been devised in the heart. It implies more than falling or sliding into sin, which is common to all. It denotes, Cornelius a Lapide remarks, "inexplebilem sceleris aviditatem, et destinatum studium."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
a heart
לֵ֗ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

that devises
חֹ֭רֵשׁ (ḥō·rêš)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise

wicked
אָ֑וֶן (’ā·wen)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 205: Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol

schemes,
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת (maḥ·šə·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan

feet
רַגְלַ֥יִם (raḡ·la·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

that run
לָר֥וּץ (lā·rūṣ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7323: To run

swiftly
מְ֝מַהֲר֗וֹת (mə·ma·hă·rō·wṯ)
Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 4116: To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptly

to evil,
לָֽרָעָה׃‪‬ (lā·rā·‘āh)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:18 A heart that devises wicked schemes feet (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 6:17
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