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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin"?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/20-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/20_Pro_20_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 20:9 - Wine is a Mocker" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Who can say, I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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I am clean and without sin"?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Who can say, &#8220I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin &#8220?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure, I am clean from my sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, &#8220I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin"? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Can any of us really say, "My thoughts are pure, and my sins are gone"? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Who can say, "I've made my heart pure. I'm cleansed from my sin"?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Can anyone really say that his conscience is clear, that he has gotten rid of his sin? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Who can say, "My intentions are pure; I am clean from any sin?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, ?I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, "I have kept my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, "I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Who says, “I have purified my heart, "" I have been cleansed from my sin?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Who saith, 'I have purified my heart, I have been cleansed from my sin?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Who shall say, I cleansed my heart; I was pure from my sin?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed of my sin”? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin”?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sins?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Who will say, "You are innocent, my heart, and I am purified from sin"?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Who will boast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is pure from sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/20-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3986" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/20.htm">Wine is a Mocker</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">can say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">“I have kept my heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/2135.htm" title="2135: zik·kî·ṯî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To be clear, clean or pure. A primitive root; to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent.">pure;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2891.htm" title="2891: ṭā·har·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To be clean or pure. A primitive root; properly, to be bright; i.e. to be pure.">I am cleansed</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: mê·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî (Prep-m:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">from my sin”?</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a></span><br />for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8-10</a></span><br />If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. / If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20</a></span><br />Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5</a></span><br />Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a></span><br />As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a></span><br />Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/143-2.htm">Psalm 143:2</a></span><br />Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-46.htm">1 Kings 8:46</a></span><br />When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-2.htm">James 3:2</a></span><br />We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18-19</a></span><br />I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. / For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-17.htm">Galatians 5:17</a></span><br />For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19</a></span><br />For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21-23</a></span><br />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.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/8-46.htm">1 Kings 8:46</a></b></br> If they sin against thee, (for <i>there is</i> no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/6-36.htm">2 Chronicles 6:36</a></b></br> If they sin against thee, (for <i>there is</i> no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before <i>their</i> enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a></b></br> Who can bring a clean <i>thing</i> out of an unclean? not one.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/139-6.htm">Able</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/psalms/73-13.htm">Cleansed</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-5.htm">Free</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-5.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-26.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/psalms/73-13.htm">Purified</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Sin</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/25-16.htm">Able</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-30.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-12.htm">Cleansed</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-11.htm">Free</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-12.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-11.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/songs/1-3.htm">Purified</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-11.htm">Sin</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/20-1.htm">Proper Living</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Who can say</b><br>This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, emphasizing the rarity or impossibility of the claim that follows. It reflects the wisdom literature's style, which often uses questions to provoke reflection. The question implies a universal human condition, suggesting that no one can confidently make the claim that follows. This aligns with the biblical theme of human fallibility and the need for divine grace, as seen in <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>, which states that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.<p><b>“I have kept my heart pure;</b><br>The heart in biblical terms often represents the center of one's being, including thoughts, emotions, and will. Keeping the heart pure is a significant theme throughout Scripture, as seen in <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a>, where David asks God to create a pure heart within him. The phrase suggests a standard of moral and spiritual integrity that is difficult to achieve. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, purity was not only a physical or ritualistic state but also a moral and spiritual one, reflecting one's relationship with God.<p><b>I am cleansed from my sin”?</b><br>Cleansing from sin is a central theme in the Bible, pointing to the need for atonement and forgiveness. In the Old Testament, this was often achieved through sacrifices and rituals, as outlined in Leviticus. However, the New Testament reveals that true cleansing comes through Jesus Christ, as seen in 1 <a href="/john/1-7.htm">John 1:7</a>, which states that the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. This phrase highlights the human inability to achieve self-cleansing, pointing to the necessity of divine intervention for true purification.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His writings often explore themes of morality, wisdom, and the human condition.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom the Proverbs were originally addressed, representing God's chosen people who were given the Law to guide their lives.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart.htm">The Heart</a></b><br>In Hebrew thought, the heart ("lev") is the center of one's inner life, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. It is often seen as the seat of moral and spiritual life.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/sin.htm">Sin</a></b><br>The concept of sin in the Hebrew Bible ("chet") refers to missing the mark or falling short of God's standards. It is a central theme in understanding human imperfection and the need for divine grace.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/purity.htm">Purity</a></b><br>The idea of purity ("tahor") in the Hebrew context involves being clean or free from moral or ceremonial defilement, often associated with holiness and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/acknowledgment_of_human_limitation.htm">Acknowledgment of Human Limitation</a></b><br>Recognize that no one can claim absolute purity or sinlessness. This acknowledgment is the first step toward humility and reliance on God's grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_divine_cleansing.htm">The Need for Divine Cleansing</a></b><br>Understand that true cleansing from sin is a divine act. We must seek God's forgiveness and transformation through Jesus Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_heart_in_spiritual_life.htm">The Role of the Heart in Spiritual Life</a></b><br>Guard your heart diligently, as it is the wellspring of life. Regularly examine your thoughts and intentions in light of God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_confession_and_repentance.htm">The Importance of Confession and Repentance</a></b><br>Practice regular confession and repentance. This keeps our relationship with God healthy and acknowledges our dependence on His mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_in_grace_and_truth.htm">Living in Grace and Truth</a></b><br>Embrace the grace offered through Christ while striving to live in truth and righteousness, knowing that our efforts are empowered by the Holy Spirit.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_original_sin_in_the_old_testament.htm">Why do key Christian beliefs, such as original sin, not appear explicitly in the Old Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_being_pure_in_heart.htm">What defines being pure in heart?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'take_the_plank_out'_mean.htm">What does "Take the Plank Out of Your Eye" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_true_christians_sin_or_not.htm">Do all men sin? Yes, as per I Kings 8:46 and others. No, true Christians, as children of God, cannot sin (I John 3:9). Yet, claiming sinlessness is self-deception (I John 1:8).</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Who can say, I have made my heart clean?</span>--Though we may have done our best by self-examination and confession, and repentance and trust in the atoning blood of Christ to obtain remission of sin, still the heart is so deceitful (<a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm" title="The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?">Jeremiah 17:9</a>), sins may so easily have escaped our notice (<a href="/psalms/19-12.htm" title="Who can understand his errors? cleanse you me from secret faults.">Psalm 19:12</a>, <a href="/1_corinthians/4-4.htm" title="For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord.">1Corinthians 4:4</a>), that satisfaction with ourselves ought never to be allowed (<a href="/romans/11-20.htm" title="Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not high minded, but fear:">Romans 11:20</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?</span> The question implies the answer, "No one." This is expressed in <a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a>, "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." At the dedication of the temple, Solomon enunciates this fact of man's corruption, "There is no man that sinneth not" (<a href="/1_kings/8-46.htm">1 Kings 8:46</a>). The prophet testifies, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is desperately sick: who can know it?" (<a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a>). And St. John warns, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (<a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a>). The heart is cleansed by self-examination and repentance; but it is so easy to deceive one's self in this matter, sins may lurk undetected, motives may be overlooked, so that no one can rightly be self-righteous, or conceited, or proud of his spiritual state. The "my sin" at the end of the clause is rather possible than actual sin; and the expression means that no one can pride himself on being secure from yielding to temptation, however clean for a time his conscience may be. The verse, therefore, offers a stern corrective of two grievous spiritual errors - presumption and apathy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/20-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(mî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can say,</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹ֭אמַר</span> <span class="translit">(yō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I have kept my heart</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבִּ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pure;</span><br /><span class="heb">זִכִּ֣יתִי</span> <span class="translit">(zik·kî·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2135.htm">Strong's 2135: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be translucent, to be innocent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I am cleansed</span><br /><span class="heb">טָ֝הַ֗רְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(ṭā·har·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2891.htm">Strong's 2891: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be clean or pure</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from my sin”?</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵחַטָּאתִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(mê·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> </span><span class="str2">An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/20-9.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:9 Who can say I have made my (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/20-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 20:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 20:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/20-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 20:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 20:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>