Proverbs 17:3

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Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

“The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.”

— WEB

“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.”

— KJV

“The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.”

— ASV

Bible Verses About Trials

Cross-references

Related verses via the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Isaiah 48:10 "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver. I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction."
Jeremiah 17:10 "“I, Yahweh, search the mind. I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”"
Psalms 26:2 "Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind."
Proverbs 27:21 "The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise."
1 Chronicles 29:17 "I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly…"
1 Peter 1:7 "that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in …"
Psalms 66:10 "For you, God, have tested us. You have refined us, as silver is refined."
Revelation 2:23 "I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each…"

Commentary

Note, 1. The hearts of the children of men are subject, not only to God's view, but to his judgment: As the fining-pot is for silver, both to prove it and to improve it so the Lord tries the hearts; he searches whether they are standard or no, and those that are he refines and makes purer, Jer 17:10. God tries the heart by affliction (Psa 66:10, Psa 66:11), and often chooses his people in that furnace (Isa 48:10) and makes them choice. 2. It is God only that tries the hearts. Men may try their silver and gold with the fining-pot and the furnace, but they have no such way of trying one another's hearts; God only does that, who is both the searcher and the sovereign of the heart.

— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary (public domain)

God only knows, as He tries (Psa 12:6; Psa 66:10) the heart.

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

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