Matthew 9:4

9:4 When Jesus saw their reaction he said, “Why do you respond with evil in your hearts?

Psalms 119:113

ס (Samek)

119:113 I hate people with divided loyalties, ¹ 

but I love your law.

Isaiah 55:7

55:7 The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle ² 

and sinful people their plans. ³ 

They should return ⁴  to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them, ⁵ 

and to their God, for he will freely forgive them. ⁶ 

Isaiah 59:7

59:7 They are eager to do evil, ⁷ 

quick to shed innocent blood. ⁸ 

Their thoughts are sinful;

they crush and destroy. ⁹ 

Jeremiah 4:14

4:14 “Oh people of Jerusalem, purify your hearts from evil ¹⁰ 

so that you may yet be delivered.

How long will you continue to harbor up

wicked schemes within you?

Acts 8:22

8:22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord ¹¹  that he may perhaps forgive you for the intent of your heart. ¹² 

James 1:13-15

1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, ¹³  and he himself tempts no one. 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 1:15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.

[119:113]  ¹ tn Heb “divided ones.” The word occurs only here; it appears to be derived from a verbal root, attested in Arabic, meaning “to split” (see HALOT 762 s.v. *סֵעֵף). Since the psalmist is emphasizing his unswerving allegiance to God and his law, the term probably refers to those who lack such loyalty. The translation is similar to that suggested by L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 131.

[55:7]  ² tn Heb “Let the wicked one abandon his way.” The singular is collective.

[55:7]  ³ tn Heb “and the man of evil his thoughts.” The singular is collective.

[55:7]  ⁴ tn Heb “let him return.” The singular is collective, meaning “let them.”

[55:7]  ⁵ tn The imperfect with vav (ו) conjunctive after the jussive indicates purpose/result.

[55:7]  ⁶ sn The appeal and promise of vv. 6-7 echoes the language of Deut 4:25-31; 30:1-10; and 1 Kgs 8:46-53, all of which anticipate the exile and speak of the prerequisites for restoration.

[59:7]  ⁷ tn Heb “their feet run to evil.”

[59:7]  ⁸ tn Heb “they quickly pour out innocent blood.”

[59:7]  ⁹ tn Heb “their thoughts are thoughts of sin, destruction and crushing [are] in their roadways.”

[4:14]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “Oh, Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil.”

[8:22]  ¹¹ tn Or “and implore the Lord.”

[8:22]  ¹² tn Grk “that if possible the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.” The passive construction is somewhat awkward in contemporary English and has thus been converted to an active construction in the translation.

[1:13]  ¹³ tn Or “God must not be tested by evil people.”