Proverbs 16:9
New International Version
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

New Living Translation
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

English Standard Version
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Berean Standard Bible
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

King James Bible
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

New King James Version
A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

New American Standard Bible
The mind of a person plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

NASB 1995
The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

NASB 1977
The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Legacy Standard Bible
The heart of man plans his way, But Yahweh directs his steps.

Amplified Bible
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the LORD directs his steps and establishes them.

Christian Standard Bible
A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.

American Standard Version
A man's heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.

Contemporary English Version
We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.

English Revised Version
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A person may plan his own journey, but the LORD directs his steps.

Good News Translation
You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.

International Standard Version
A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

Majority Standard Bible
A man?s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

NET Bible
A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.

New Heart English Bible
A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.

Webster's Bible Translation
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

World English Bible
A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The heart of man devises his way, "" And YHWH establishes his step.

Young's Literal Translation
The heart of man deviseth his way, And Jehovah establisheth his step.

Smith's Literal Translation
The heart of man will purpose his ways, and Jehovah will prepare his steps.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.

New American Bible
The human heart plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps.

New Revised Standard Version
The human mind plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A man's heart devises his ways; but the LORD directs his steps.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The heart of a son of man plans his ways and LORD JEHOVAH orders his steps.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A man's heart deviseth his way; But the LORD directeth his steps.All of the works of the Lord are done with righteousness; and the ungodly man is kept for the evil day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. 9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. 10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.

Psalm 37:23-24
The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. / Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.

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.”

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Isaiah 46:9-10
Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. / 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.

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.

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,

Psalm 127:1
A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.

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.

Acts 17:26
From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

Job 23:13-14
But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. / For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.

Matthew 6:10
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

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.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.


Treasury of Scripture

A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps.

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

Proverbs 19:21
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Proverbs 20:24
Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

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Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














A man's heart plans his course
This phrase begins with the Hebrew word "לֵב" (lev), translated as "heart." In the ancient Hebrew context, the heart was considered the center of not only emotions but also intellect and will. It was the seat of decision-making and moral reflection. The phrase suggests that humans have the capacity and responsibility to make plans and decisions. The word "plans" comes from the Hebrew "חָשַׁב" (chashav), which means to think, account, or reckon. This implies a thoughtful, deliberate process of setting a course or direction in life. The use of "course" indicates a journey or path, suggesting that life is a series of decisions and actions that lead us in a particular direction. This part of the verse acknowledges human agency and the God-given ability to reason and plan.

but the LORD directs his steps
The conjunction "but" introduces a contrast, highlighting the divine sovereignty that complements human planning. The term "LORD" is translated from the Hebrew "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the sacred, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging nature and His intimate involvement in the lives of His people. The word "directs" comes from the Hebrew "כּוּן" (kun), meaning to establish, prepare, or make firm. This suggests that while humans can plan, it is ultimately God who establishes and ensures the success or failure of those plans. The term "steps" refers to the individual actions or decisions that make up the journey of life. This phrase underscores the belief in divine providence, where God is actively involved in guiding and shaping the outcomes of human endeavors. It serves as a reminder of the balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty, encouraging believers to trust in God's ultimate plan while diligently making wise and thoughtful decisions.

(9) A man's heart deviseth his way . . .--"Man proposeth, God disposeth." (See below on Proverbs 20:24.)

Verse 9. - A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps (ver. 1). "Man proposes, God disposes" or, as the Germans say, "Der Mensch denkt, Gott lenkt" (comp. Proverbs 20:24). The word rendered "deviseth" implies, by its spectra, intensity of thought and care. Man meditates and prepares his plans with the utmost solicitude, but it rests with God whether he shall carry them to completion or not, and whether, if they are to be accomplished, it be done with ease or with painful labour (comp. Genesis 24:12, etc.). We all remember Shakespeare's words in 'Hamlet' -

"There's a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will."
Septuagint, "Let the heart of man consider what is just, that his steps may be by God directed might" (comp. Jeremiah 10:23).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A man’s
אָ֭דָם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

heart
לֵ֣ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

plans
יְחַשֵּׁ֣ב (yə·ḥaš·šêḇ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2803: To think, account

his course,
דַּרְכּ֑וֹ (dar·kōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

but the LORD
וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

determines
יָכִ֥ין (yā·ḵîn)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

his steps.
צַעֲדֽוֹ׃ (ṣa·‘ă·ḏōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6806: A pace, regular step


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart plans his course (Prov. Pro Pr)
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