Proverbs 14:22

Do not those who devise ¹  evil go astray? But those who plan good exhibit ²  faithful covenant love. ³ 

Ge 24:27; 2Ch 6:8; Ps 25:10; Ps 61:7; Pr 12:2; Pr 14:17; Pr 19:22; Isa 32:7,8; Mt 5:7; Joh 1:17

¹ sn The verb חָרַשׁ (kharash) means (1) literally: “to cut in; to engrave; to plow,” describing the work of a craftsman; and (2) figuratively: “to devise,” describing the mental activity of planning evil (what will harm people) in the first colon, and planning good (what will benefit them) in the second colon.

² tn The term “exhibit” does not appear in the Hebrew, but is supplied in the translation for clarity and smoothness.

³ tn Heb “loyal-love and truth.” The two terms חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת (khesed ve’emet) often form a hendiadys: “faithful love” or better “faithful covenant love.”