Proverbs 22:11 - Exposition

He that loveth pureness of heart ; he who strives to be pure m heart ( Matthew 5:8 ), free from guile, lust, cupidity, vice of every kind. The next clause carries on the description of the perfect character, and is best translated. And hath grace of lips, the king is his friend. He who is not only virtuous and upright, but has the gift of graciousness of speech, winning manner in conversation, such a man wilt attach the king to him by the closest bonds of friendship. We have had something very similar at Proverbs 16:13 . Some of the versions consider that by the king God is meant. Thus the Septuagint, "The Lord loveth holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him." The rest of the clause is connected by the LXX . with the following verse, "A king guides his flock ( ποιμαίνει ) with his lips; but the eyes of the Lord," etc.