Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
Parallel translations
- KJV The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
- BSB Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
- NKJV Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.
- NASB Bruising wounds clean away evil, And blows cleanse the innermost parts.
- NLT Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Painful discipline can cleanse away evil and purge the inner person. It matters because correction, though hard, can produce moral renewal.
Overview
The proverb acknowledges that severe correction — even physical chastening — may be needed to drive out wickedness deeply rooted in a person. While not glorifying harshness, it recognizes that discipline serves cleansing and reform (Proverbs 13:24; Hebrews 12:11). God himself disciplines those he loves for their good and holiness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Heb 12:10For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.
- Prov 22:15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
- Prov 19:25Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
- Isa 53:5But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
- Isa 27:9Therefore by this the iniquity of Jacob will be forgiven, and this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: that he makes all the stones of the altar as chalk stones that are beaten in pieces, so that the Asherah poles and the incense altars shall rise no more.
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 20:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.