Proverbs 21:2
New International Version
A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.

New Living Translation
People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.

English Standard Version
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Berean Standard Bible
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

King James Bible
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

New King James Version
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

New American Standard Bible
Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD examines the hearts.

NASB 1995
Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

NASB 1977
Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

Legacy Standard Bible
Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But Yahweh weighs the hearts.

Amplified Bible
Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives].

Christian Standard Bible
All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives.

American Standard Version
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weighteth the hearts.

Contemporary English Version
We may think we are doing the right thing, but the LORD always knows what is in our hearts.

English Revised Version
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the hearts.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A person thinks everything he does is right, but the LORD weighs hearts.

Good News Translation
You may think that everything you do is right, but remember that the LORD judges your motives.

International Standard Version
Every man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Majority Standard Bible
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

NET Bible
All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives.

New Heart English Bible
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.

Webster's Bible Translation
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

World English Bible
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, "" And YHWH is pondering hearts.

Young's Literal Translation
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.

Smith's Literal Translation
Every way of a man right in his eyes: and Jehovah will prepare hearts.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Every way of a man seems right to himself. But the Lord weighs hearts.

New American Bible
All your ways may be straight in your own eyes, but it is the LORD who weighs hearts.

New Revised Standard Version
All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the LORD weighs the heart.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD sets the heart in order.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes, and LORD JEHOVAH sets the heart in order.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the hearts.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The King's Heart
1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. 2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Proverbs 16:2
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

Proverbs 24:12
If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. / See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.

Luke 16:15
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. / Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

1 Corinthians 4:4-5
My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me. / Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Romans 2:16
on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.

Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

James 4:3
And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

1 John 3:20
Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.

Psalm 7:9
Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.

Psalm 26:2
Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.


Treasury of Scripture

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders the hearts.

right

Proverbs 16:2,25
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits…

Proverbs 20:6
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

Proverbs 30:12
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

the lord

Proverbs 24:12
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Jeremiah 17:10
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

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Proverbs 21
1. The king's heart in the hand of the Lord














All a man’s ways
This phrase highlights the natural human tendency to justify one's actions and decisions. The Hebrew word for "ways" is "derek," which can mean a path, journey, or manner of life. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of life as a journey, where each person chooses their path. In a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the importance of aligning one's life with God's will rather than relying solely on personal judgment.

seem right to him
The Hebrew word for "right" is "yashar," meaning straight or upright. This suggests that individuals often perceive their actions as morally or ethically correct. However, this perception can be flawed due to human nature's inherent sinfulness. From a scriptural context, this phrase warns against self-deception and the danger of relying on one's understanding without seeking divine guidance.

but the LORD
The use of "the LORD" here refers to Yahweh, the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal and relational nature. In the historical context of Israel, invoking the name of the LORD signifies His authority and sovereignty over all creation. This phrase serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate judge of human actions and intentions.

weighs the heart
The Hebrew word for "weighs" is "takan," which means to measure, evaluate, or assess. The "heart" in Hebrew, "lev," represents the center of one's being, including thoughts, emotions, and will. This phrase indicates that God examines the true motives and intentions behind actions, beyond outward appearances. In a conservative Christian view, this underscores the importance of cultivating a pure heart and seeking God's wisdom to guide one's life choices. It serves as a call to self-examination and humility before God, recognizing that His understanding surpasses human judgment.

(2) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes.--See above, on Proverbs 16:2.

Verse 2. - This is similar to Proverbs 16:2 (where see note. Comp. also Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25; Proverbs 20:24). See here a warning against self-deception and that silly self-complacency which thinks its own ways the best. Septuagint, "Every man appears to himself righteous, but the Lord directs the hearts."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
All
כָּֽל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

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

ways
דֶּרֶךְ־ (de·reḵ-)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

seem
בְּעֵינָ֑יו (bə·‘ê·nāw)
Preposition | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

right to him,
יָשָׁ֣ר (yā·šār)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

but the LORD
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

weighs
וְתֹכֵ֖ן (wə·ṯō·ḵên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8505: To balance, measure out, arrange, equalize, levelling

the heart.
לִבּ֣וֹת (lib·bō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3826: The heart


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right (Prov. Pro Pr)
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