Parallel Verses

Amplified


They devise acts of injustice, saying,
“We are ready with a well-conceived plan.”
For the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep (mysterious, unsearchable).

New American Standard Bible

They devise injustices, saying,
“We are ready with a well-conceived plot”;
For the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep.

King James Version

They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

Holman Bible

They devise crimes and say,
“We have perfected a secret plan.”
The inner man and the heart are mysterious.

International Standard Version

They devise wicked schemes, saying, "We have completed our plans, hiding them deep in our hearts."

A Conservative Version

They search out iniquities, [saying,] We have accomplished a diligent search. And the inward part of man and the heart [are] deep.

American Standard Version

They search out iniquities; We have accomplished,'say they , a diligent search: And the inward thought and the heart of every one is deep.

Bible in Basic English

Or make discovery of our secret purpose? The design is framed with care; and the inner thought of a man, and his heart, is deep.

Darby Translation

They devise iniquities: We have it ready, the plan is diligently sought out. And each one's inward thought and heart is deep.

Julia Smith Translation

They will search out iniquities; they completed a search searched out: and a man drew near, and a deep heart.

King James 2000

They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, are deep.

Lexham Expanded Bible

{They carefully plot} injustices [saying], "We have perfected {the perfect plot}!" Both [the] {inner thought} and heart of man [are] deep.

Modern King James verseion

They search out injustice, saying, We have finished hiding a hidden plot. Yea, the inward part of man and the heart are deep.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

They imagine wickedness, and keep it secret among themselves; every man in the deep of his heart.

NET Bible

They devise unjust schemes; they disguise a well-conceived plot. Man's inner thoughts cannot be discovered.

New Heart English Bible

They plot injustice, saying, "We have made a perfect plan." Surely man's mind and heart are cunning.

The Emphasized Bible

They devise perverse things, They have completed the device well devised, Both the intent of each one, and the mind, are unsearchable.

Webster

They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

World English Bible

They plot injustice, saying, "We have made a perfect plan!" Surely man's mind and heart are cunning.

Youngs Literal Translation

They search out perverse things, 'We perfected a searching search,' And the inward part of man, and the heart are deep.

References

Context Readings

Protection From Evildoers

5
They encourage themselves in [their pursuit of] an evil agenda;
They talk of laying snares secretly;
They say, “Who will discover us?”
6 
They devise acts of injustice, saying,
“We are ready with a well-conceived plan.”
For the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep (mysterious, unsearchable).
7
But God will shoot them with an [unexpected] arrow;
Suddenly they will be wounded.


Cross References

1 Samuel 22:9

Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s servants, replied, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech [the priest] the son of Ahitub.

1 Samuel 24:9

David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘David seeks to harm you?’

1 Samuel 25:10

But Nabal answered David’s servants and said, “Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today, each of whom is breaking away from his master.

Psalm 5:9


For there is nothing trustworthy or reliable or truthful in what they say;
Their heart is destruction [just a treacherous chasm, a yawning gulf of lies].
Their throat is an open grave;
They [glibly] flatter with their [silken] tongue.

Psalm 35:11


Malicious witnesses rise up;
They ask me of things that I do not know.

Psalm 49:11


Their inward thought is that their houses will continue forever,
And their dwelling places to all generations;
They have named their lands after their own names [ignoring God].

Proverbs 20:5


A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well,
But a man of understanding draws it out.

Isaiah 29:15


Woe (judgment is coming) to those who [try to] deeply hide their plans from the Lord,
Whose deeds are done in a dark place,
And who say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?”

Jeremiah 17:9-10


“The heart is deceitful above all things
And it is extremely sick;
Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives?

Daniel 6:4-5

Then the [other two] commissioners and the satraps began trying to find a reason to bring a complaint against Daniel concerning the [administration of the] kingdom; but they could find no reason for an accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was faithful [a man of high moral character and personal integrity], and no negligence or corruption [of any kind] was found in him.

Matthew 26:59

Now the chief priests and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) tried to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might [have a reason to] put Him to death.

John 18:29-30

So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”

John 19:7

The Jews answered him, “We have a law [regarding blasphemy], and according to that law He should die, because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.”

1 Corinthians 4:5

So do not go on passing judgment before the appointed time, but wait until the Lord comes, for He will both bring to light the [secret] things that are hidden in darkness and disclose the motives of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain