Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 VersionEvery 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 BibleEvery 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 BibleEvery 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 1917Every 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 Heart1The 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. Jump to Previous Eyes Heart Hearts Pondereth Pondering Right Seem Seems Tester Way Ways Weigheth WeighsJump to Next Eyes Heart Hearts Pondereth Pondering Right Seem Seems Tester Way Ways Weigheth WeighsProverbs 21 1. The king's heart in the hand of the LordAll 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 but the LORD weighs the heart Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Allכָּֽל־ (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 Links Proverbs 21:2 NIVProverbs 21:2 NLT Proverbs 21:2 ESV Proverbs 21:2 NASB Proverbs 21:2 KJV Proverbs 21:2 BibleApps.com Proverbs 21:2 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 21:2 Chinese Bible Proverbs 21:2 French Bible Proverbs 21:2 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right (Prov. 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