Proverbs 6:14 kjv

Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

Proverbs 6:14 nkjv

Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.

Proverbs 6:14 niv

who plots evil with deceit in his heart? he always stirs up conflict.

Proverbs 6:14 esv

with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord;

Proverbs 6:14 nlt

Their perverted hearts plot evil,
and they constantly stir up trouble.

Proverbs 6 verses

Proverbs 6 14 Meaning

Proverbs 6:14 describes a truly wicked individual whose heart is inherently twisted and morally depraved. This person consistently plots evil and actively works to cause divisions, quarrels, and strife among people, fundamentally operating against peace and unity.

Proverbs 6 14 Context

Proverbs chapter 6 serves as a series of urgent warnings and admonitions to the reader, often characterized as a "son" or disciple of wisdom. This specific verse (6:14) is part of a longer section (6:12-19) which provides a stark description of the "worthless person" or "schemer." This individual is presented as fundamentally depraved, both in their internal character and their external actions. The passage progresses from the physical deceit (mouth, feet, fingers) to the spiritual root of the issue (the heart). Verse 14 exposes the inner source of this person's destructive behavior: a corrupted heart from which continual evil intentions and a tendency to cause strife emanate. It paints a picture of premeditated and persistent wickedness that ultimately results in severe consequences for the perpetrator, culminating in a list of seven things God detests, including sowing discord (v.19).

Proverbs 6 14 Word analysis

• Frowardness is in his heart:
  • Frowardness: (Hebrew: tahpukah) Signifies perversion, distortion, treachery, contrariness. It describes a deep-seated moral crookedness, a fundamental twisting away from what is right or upright. It's not just an occasional deviation, but an inherent, pervasive characteristic.
  • Heart: (Hebrew: lev) In biblical understanding, the heart is not merely the seat of emotions, but the core of one's being—the mind, will, intellect, conscience, and moral character. So, "frowardness in his heart" means the very essence of this person's character is perverse; their intentions and thoughts are morally corrupted at their root.
• he deviseth mischief continually:
  • He deviseth: (Hebrew: charash) Means to "engrave," "plow," "design," or "fabricate." It suggests a deliberate, often careful and planned act of crafting or bringing something into existence, rather than an impulsive reaction. It implies a mind actively at work, methodically concocting evil.
  • Mischief: (Hebrew: ra) Refers to evil, wickedness, harm, or calamity. It encompasses moral badness as well as its destructive outcomes.
  • Continually: (Hebrew: kol-ʿet) Meaning "at all times," "always," or "constantly." This highlights the persistent and unceasing nature of the evil plotting. It's not an occasional lapse, but a perpetual disposition and activity of their mind.
• he soweth discord:
  • He soweth: (Hebrew: yishallach) Derived from a root meaning "to send forth," "to thrust out," or "to spread." In this context, it takes on the meaning of "sowing" or disseminating, much like seeds are scattered. It indicates an active and deliberate propagation.
  • Discord: (Hebrew: madon) Refers to contention, strife, quarrels, or dispute. It denotes disharmony and conflict.
  • Words-group by words-group analysis:
    • "Frowardness is in his heart": This phrase pinpoints the origin of the wickedness. It's an internal, inherent perversion of the moral compass, residing at the core of the individual's identity. This deep corruption shapes all subsequent thoughts and actions.
    • "he deviseth mischief continually": This describes the ongoing process and fruit of that froward heart. The internal perversion leads to continuous, deliberate, and premeditated planning of harm and evil. It illustrates a mind always calculating ways to cause trouble.
    • "he soweth discord": This depicts the outward, active manifestation of the inner corruption and evil devising. The schemes and malevolent thoughts are not kept internal but are deliberately spread into the community, aiming to break down relationships and unity, akin to scattering destructive seeds that grow into strife. This highlights the destructive impact of the individual on others.

Proverbs 6 14 Bonus section

• The deliberate "sowing" imagery for discord emphasizes that this individual isn't just inadvertently causing trouble, but actively investing effort into creating disharmony.
• This verse, read alongside 6:12-19, highlights a key principle in wisdom literature: internal character inevitably expresses itself in external actions and behaviors. A corrupt tree cannot bear good fruit.
• The progression in this description, from physical indicators (wink, shuffle, point) to verbal deceit (froward mouth), then to the deeper spiritual source (froward heart, devising mischief), culminates in the social outcome (sowing discord). This illustrates the depth of the "worthless person's" corruption.
• Sowing discord is a foundational sin because it undermines the very fabric of healthy human relationships, including the body of Christ (Rom 16:17-18; 1 Cor 1:10), making it especially heinous in God's eyes.
• This verse serves as a warning not only against being such a person but also against associating with or falling prey to the machinations of such individuals. Discernment of their internal nature by their fruit is key.

Proverbs 6 14 Commentary

Proverbs 6:14 provides a piercing psychological and moral profile of a truly wicked individual. Their wickedness is not merely external behavior but stems from a corrupted heart, which is the very essence of their being. This inner perversion means that their thoughts are continuously engaged in devising mischief—plotting, planning, and preparing evil deeds. It's not spontaneous sin, but a methodical, premeditated malice that operates without ceasing. The ultimate visible outcome of this internal decay and ceaseless planning is that he soweth discord. This person actively and deliberately introduces conflict and strife into relationships, families, or communities, seeking to unravel unity and harmony. This "sowing" indicates a calculated act, much like planting seeds to harvest division. The verse underscores that the froward heart is the wellspring of consistent evil plotting and divisive actions, showing the deep-seated nature of true depravity, a trait abhorrent to God and destructive to human relationships.