God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 20:24
24The Lord is the one who directs a person’s steps. How then can anyone understand his own way?
Proverbs 20:24 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?
- New International Version (NIV)A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?
- English Standard Version (ESV)A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?
- New King James Version (NKJV)A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?
Context of Proverbs 20:24
22Do not say, “I’ll get even with you!” Wait for the Lord, and he will save you. 23A double standard of weights is disgusting to the Lord, and dishonest scales are no good. The Lord is the one who directs a person’s steps. How then can anyone understand his own way? 25It is a trap for a person to say impulsively, “This is a holy offering!” and later to have second thoughts about those vows. 26A wise king scatters the wicked and then runs them over.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:24 word by word
מֵיהוָ֥ה מִצְעֲדֵי־גָ֑בֶר וְ֝אָדָ֗ם מַה־יָּבִ֥ין דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:24
- Psalms 37:23A person’s steps are directed by the Lord, and the Lord delights in his way.
- Jeremiah 10:23O Lord, I know that the way humans act is not under their control. Humans do not direct their steps as they walk.
- Daniel 5:23But you made yourself greater than the Lord of heaven. You had the utensils from his temple brought to you. You, your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them. You praised your gods made of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, or stone. These gods can’t see, hear, or know anything. You didn’t honor God, who has power over your life and everything you do.
- Acts 17:28Certainly, we live, move, and exist because of him. As some of your poets have said, ‘We are God’s children.’
- Proverbs 14:8The wisdom of a sensible person guides his way of life, but the stupidity of fools misleads them.
- Proverbs 16:9A person may plan his own journey, but the Lord directs his steps.
- Psalms 25:4Make your ways known to me, O Lord, and teach me your paths.
- Isaiah 10:6I send them against a godless nation. In my fury I order them against the people to take their belongings, loot them, and trample on them like mud in the streets.
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24Man's goings are of the Lord - He, by his providence, governs all the great concerns of the world. Man often traverses these operations; but he does it to his own damage. An old writer quaintly says: "They who will carve for themselves shall cut their fingers."Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24The order of a man‘s life is a mystery even to himself. He knows not where he is going, or for what God is educating him.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24Verse 24 How can we form plans, and conduct business, independently of the Lord?Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 24God clearly guides our steps (see Proverbs 16:1, 9, 33). We do not need to understand why things happen. We should not lose hope because God is in control.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. Man's goings--literally, "Stately steppings of a strong man." a man--any common man. understand--or, "perceive."Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:24
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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