God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 5:21
21Each person’s ways are clearly seen by the Lord, and he surveys all his actions.
Proverbs 5:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
- New International Version (NIV)For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths.
Context of Proverbs 5:21
19a loving doe and a graceful deer. Always let her breasts satisfy you. Always be intoxicated with her love. 20Why should you, my son, be intoxicated with an adulterous woman and fondle a loose woman’s breast? Each person’s ways are clearly seen by the Lord, and he surveys all his actions. 22A wicked person will be trapped by his own wrongs, and he will be caught in the ropes of his own sin. 23He will die for his lack of discipline and stumble around because of his great stupidity.
Read all of Proverbs 5Proverbs 5:21 word by word
כִּ֤י נֹ֨כַח׀ עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה דַּרְכֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְֽכָל־מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥יו מְפַלֵּֽס׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 5:21
- Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the Lord are everywhere. They watch evil people and good people.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9The Lord’s eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them. You acted foolishly in this matter. So from now on, you will have to fight wars.”
- Job 31:4Doesn’t he see my ways and count all my steps?
- Job 34:21God’s eyes are on a person’s ways. He sees all his steps.
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes see. They examine Adam’s descendants.
- Psalms 17:3You have probed my heart. You have confronted me at night. You have tested me like silver, but you found nothing wrong. I have determined that my mouth will not sin.
- Psalms 139:1O Lord, you have examined me, and you know me.
- Jeremiah 16:17I see everything that they do. They can’t hide anything from me. Their wickedness can’t be hidden; I can see it.
- Jeremiah 17:10I, the Lord, search minds and test hearts. I will reward each person for what he has done. I will reward him for the results of his actions.
- Jeremiah 23:24“No one can hide so that I can’t see him,” declares the Lord. “I fill heaven and earth!” declares the Lord.
- Jeremiah 32:19You make wise plans and do mighty things. You see everything the descendants of Adam do. You reward them for the way they live and for what they do.
- Hosea 7:2They don’t realize that I remember all the evil things they’ve done. Now their sins surround them. Their sins are in my presence.
- Hebrews 4:13No creature can hide from God. Everything is uncovered and exposed for him to see. We must answer to him.
- Revelation 2:18“To the messenger of the church in Thyatira, write: The Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire and whose feet are like glowing bronze, says:
Commentaries on Proverbs 5:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21For the ways of a man - Whether they are public or private, God sees all the steps thou takest in life.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21One more warning. The sin is not against man, nor dependent on man‘s detection only. The secret sin is open before the eyes of Yahweh. In the balance of His righteous judgment are weighed all human acts. Pondereth - Note the recurrence of the word used of the harlot herself (see Proverbs 1:6 note): she ponders not, God does.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-23Verses 15-23 Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing, and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose the way of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-23Even if a man hides an illicit relationship from his family and society, the Lord knows. Adultery is a sin against God (Genesis 39:8–9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. The reason, God's eye is on you,Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 5:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 5
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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