Proverbs 19:21
New International Version
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

New Living Translation
You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.

English Standard Version
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

Berean Standard Bible
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

King James Bible
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

New King James Version
There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.

New American Standard Bible
Many plans are in a person’s heart, But the advice of the LORD will stand.

NASB 1995
Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.

NASB 1977
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD, it will stand.

Legacy Standard Bible
Many thoughts are in a man’s heart, But it is the counsel of Yahweh that will stand.

Amplified Bible
Many plans are in a man’s mind, But it is the LORD’S purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).

Christian Standard Bible
Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the LORD’s decree will prevail.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s decree will prevail.

American Standard Version
There are many devices in a man's heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.

Contemporary English Version
We may make a lot of plans, but the LORD will do what he has decided.

English Revised Version
There are many devices in a man's heart; but the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Many plans are in the human heart, but the advice of the LORD will endure.

Good News Translation
People may plan all kinds of things, but the LORD's will is going to be done.

International Standard Version
Many plans occupy the mind of a man, but the LORD's purposes will prevail.

Majority Standard Bible
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

NET Bible
There are many plans in a person's mind, but it is the counsel of the LORD which will stand.

New Heart English Bible
There are many plans in a man's heart, but the LORD's counsel will prevail.

Webster's Bible Translation
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

World English Bible
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The purposes in a man’s heart [are] many, "" And the counsel of YHWH—it stands.

Young's Literal Translation
Many are the purposes in a man's heart, And the counsel of Jehovah it standeth.

Smith's Literal Translation
Many purposes in a man's heart: and the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
There are many thoughts in the heart of a man: but the will of the Lord shall stand firm.

Catholic Public Domain Version
There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.

New American Bible
Many are the plans of the human heart, but it is the decision of the LORD that endures.

New Revised Standard Version
The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD shall stand firm.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Many are the thoughts in the heart of a man, and the counsel of LORD JEHOVAH will be confirmed.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There are many devices in a man's heart; But the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
There are many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Man of Integrity
20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. 21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail. 22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

Job 42:2
“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.

Psalm 33:10-11
The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. / The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.

Isaiah 14:24
The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.

James 4:13-15
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Daniel 4:35
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Psalm 115:3
Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.

Acts 5:38-39
So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail. / But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

Lamentations 3:37
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it?

1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.


Treasury of Scripture

There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

many

Proverbs 12:2
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

Genesis 37:19,20
And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh…

Esther 9:25
But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

nevertheless

Proverbs 16:1,9
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD…

Proverbs 21:1,30
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will…

Genesis 45:4-8
And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt…

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Proverbs 19
1. Life and Conduct














Many plans
The Hebrew word for "plans" is "מַחֲשָׁבוֹת" (machashavot), which can also mean thoughts, intentions, or designs. This word suggests the multitude of ideas and strategies that humans devise in their minds. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to strategize and plan for the future, a practice evident in ancient cultures through their writings and artifacts. In a spiritual context, it acknowledges the God-given ability to think and plan, yet it also hints at the limitations of human foresight.

are in a man’s heart
The "heart" in Hebrew is "לֵב" (lev), which in biblical terms often refers to the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. This phrase indicates that the plans and intentions originate from the deepest part of a person, reflecting their desires and ambitions. In ancient Israel, the heart was seen as the seat of decision-making, emphasizing the personal nature of planning and the internal struggle between human desires and divine will.

but the purpose of the LORD
The word "purpose" is translated from the Hebrew "עֵצָה" (etsah), meaning counsel, advice, or plan. This term signifies a deliberate and sovereign intention. The "LORD" here is "יְהוָה" (Yahweh), the covenant name of God, highlighting His personal and relational nature. This phrase underscores the contrast between human plans and divine purpose, suggesting that God's counsel is not only superior but also ultimately determinative.

will prevail
The Hebrew verb "תָּקוּם" (takum) means to stand, arise, or endure. This conveys the idea of God's purpose being established and coming to fruition despite human intentions. Historically, this reflects the biblical narrative where God's plans consistently unfold through history, regardless of human actions. It reassures believers of the certainty and reliability of God's will, encouraging trust in His divine sovereignty.

(21) There are many devices (or, thoughts) in a man's heart.--"He disquieteth himself in vain" (Psalm 39:6), endeavouring to carry out his various plans in life, while the one unchangeable "counsel of the Lord," that shall stand--i.e., abide in all its fulness. (Comp, Isaiah 46:10-11; Psalm 33:11; Job 23:13.)

Verse 21. - The immutability of the counsel of God is contrasted with the shifting, fluctuating purposes of man (comp. Proverbs 16:1, 9; Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6). Aben Ezra connects this verse with the preceding, as though it gave the reason for the advice contained therein. But it is most natural to take the maxim in a general sense, as above Wisd. 9:14, "The thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain." The counsel of the Lord, that shall stand; permanebit, Vulgate; εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα μενε1FC0;ι, "shall abide forever," Septuagint (Psalm 33:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Many
רַבּ֣וֹת (rab·bō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

plans
מַחֲשָׁב֣וֹת (ma·ḥă·šā·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan

are in a man’s
אִ֑ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

heart,
בְּלֶב־ (bə·leḇ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

but the purpose
וַעֲצַ֥ת (wa·‘ă·ṣaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

of the LORD
הִ֣יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

will prevail.
תָקֽוּם׃ (ṯā·qūm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 19:21 There are many plans in a man's (Prov. Pro Pr)
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