New English Translation
Proverbs 5:21
21For the ways of a person are in front of the Lord’s eyes, and the Lord weighs all that person’s paths.
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, a graceful deer; may her breasts satisfy you at all times, may you be captivated by her love always. 20But why should you be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, and embrace the bosom of a different woman? For the ways of a person are in front of the Lord’s eyes, and the Lord weighs all that person’s paths. 22The wicked will be captured by his own iniquities, and he will be held by the cords of his own sin. 23He will die because there was no discipline; because of the greatness of his folly he will reel.
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 in every place, keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9Certainly the Lord watches the whole earth carefully and is ready to strengthen those who are devoted to him. You have acted foolishly in this matter; from now on you will have war.
- Job 31:4Does he not see my ways and count all my steps?
- Job 34:21For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person’s steps.
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his eyes examine all people.
- Psalms 17:3You have scrutinized my inner motives; you have examined me during the night. You have carefully evaluated me, but you find no sin. I am determined I will say nothing sinful.
- Psalms 139:1O Lord, you examine me and know.
- Jeremiah 16:17For I see everything they do. Their wicked ways are not hidden from me. Their sin is not hidden away where I cannot see it.
- Jeremiah 17:10I, the Lord, probe into people’s minds. I examine people’s hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.
- Jeremiah 23:24“Do you really think anyone can hide himself where I cannot see him?” the Lord asks. “Do you not know that I am everywhere?” the Lord asks.
- Jeremiah 32:19You plan great things and you do mighty deeds. You see everything people do. You reward each of them for the way they live and for the things they do.
- Hosea 7:2They do not realize that I remember all of their wicked deeds. Their evil deeds have now surrounded them; their sinful deeds are always before me.
- Hebrews 4:13And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
- Revelation 2:18“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Son of God, the one who has eyes like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished bronze:
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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries