Proverbs 16:2
New International Version
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

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

English Standard Version
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

Berean Standard Bible
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

King James Bible
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

New King James Version
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.

New American Standard Bible
All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight, But the LORD examines the motives.

NASB 1995
All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.

NASB 1977
All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.

Legacy Standard Bible
All the ways of a man are pure in his own sight, But Yahweh weighs the motives.

Amplified Bible
All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions], But the LORD weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].

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

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

American Standard Version
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

Contemporary English Version
We may think we know what is right, but the LORD is the judge of our motives.

English Revised Version
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A person thinks all his ways are pure, but the LORD weighs motives.

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

International Standard Version
Everything a person does seems pure in his own opinion, but the LORD weighs intentions.

Majority Standard Bible
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

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

New Heart English Bible
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the motives.

Webster's Bible Translation
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

World English Bible
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the motives.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, "" And YHWH is pondering the spirits.

Young's Literal Translation
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.

Smith's Literal Translation
All the ways of man are clean in his eyes, and Jehovah tried the spirits.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.

Catholic Public Domain Version
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes; the Lord is the one who weighs spirits.

New American Bible
All one’s ways are pure in one’s own eyes, but the measurer of motives is the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD directs his way.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
All the ways of a man are pure in the eyes of his soul and LORD JEHOVAH orders his path.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
All the works of the humble man are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. 2All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. 3Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.…

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 21:2
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Psalm 19:12
Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

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?

Matthew 6:1-4
“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. / So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ...

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.

Galatians 6:3-4
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. / Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.

Job 31:6
let God weigh me with honest scales, that He may know my integrity.


Treasury of Scripture

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the spirits.

the ways

Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

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

but

Proverbs 5:21
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

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.

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Clean Eyes Innocent Motives Pondering Pure Puts Scales Seem Sight Spirit Spirits Ways Weighed Weigheth Weighs
Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














All a man’s ways
The phrase "all a man’s ways" refers to the entirety of a person's actions, decisions, and lifestyle. In Hebrew, the word for "ways" is "derek," which implies a path or journey. This suggests that every aspect of a person's life, including their choices and behaviors, is under consideration. Historically, the Israelites understood life as a journey with God, where every step should align with His will. This phrase reminds us that our entire life path is visible to God, and we should strive to walk in righteousness.

are pure in his own eyes
The word "pure" in Hebrew is "zak," meaning clean or innocent. This phrase highlights the human tendency to justify one's actions and perceive them as righteous. In our own eyes, we often see ourselves as blameless, influenced by our subjective perspectives and biases. This self-deception is a common theme in Scripture, warning believers to be wary of pride and self-righteousness. Historically, this reflects the ancient wisdom that self-assessment is often flawed without divine insight.

but his motives
The term "motives" in Hebrew is "ruach," which can also mean spirit or breath. This indicates the inner driving force behind actions, encompassing intentions and desires. In a biblical context, motives are crucial because they reveal the true nature of a person's heart. The Bible consistently teaches that God values the heart's intentions over outward appearances, emphasizing sincerity and truthfulness in one's spiritual walk.

are weighed by the LORD
The word "weighed" comes from the Hebrew "takan," meaning to measure or assess. This implies a careful and precise evaluation by God, who examines the depth of our hearts. The LORD, or "Yahweh," is portrayed as the ultimate judge, whose assessments are just and true. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder that while humans may be easily deceived by appearances, God discerns the true nature of our intentions. Historically, this reflects the biblical understanding of God as omniscient and just, holding individuals accountable for their inner thoughts and desires.

(2) All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes.--Yet that does not excuse his faults in God's sight. (Comp. 1Corinthians 4:4.) So much the more reason is there for anxious self-examination and testing the conduct by God's word, and, when this has been done to the best of our power, still to pray for cleansing from faults which have escaped our notice. (Psalm 19:12.)

Verse 2. - All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes (Proverbs 21:2). He may deceive himself, and be blind to his own faults, or be following an ill-informed and ill-regulated conscience (Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 14:12), yet this is no excuse in God's eyes. The Lord weigheth the spirits. Not the "ways," the outward life and actions only, but motives, intentions, dispositions (Hebrews 4:12). He too knows our secret faults, unsuspected by others, and perhaps by ourselves (Psalm 19:12). The Septuagint has here, "All the works of the humble are manifest before God, but the impious shall perish in an evil day." The next verse is omitted in the Greek; and the other clauses up to ver. 8 are dislocated.

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
דַּרְכֵי־ (dar·ḵê-)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

[are] pure
זַ֣ךְ (zaḵ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2134: Pure, clean

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

but his motives
רוּח֣וֹת (rū·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

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

by the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man (Prov. Pro Pr)
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