New International Version
Proverbs 21:2
2A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.
- New Living Translation (NLT)People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.
Context of Proverbs 21:2
1In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. 3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
Read all of Proverbs 21Proverbs 21:2 word by word
כָּֽל־דֶּרֶךְ־אִ֭ישׁ יָשָׁ֣ר בְּעֵינָ֑יו וְתֹכֵ֖ן לִבּ֣וֹת יְהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 21:2
- Proverbs 16:2All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
- Proverbs 20:6Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
- Proverbs 30:12those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth;
- Psalms 36:2In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.
- Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
- Galatians 6:3If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
- James 1:22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
- Proverbs 24:12If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
- 1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
- Jeremiah 17:10“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
- Luke 16:15He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.
- John 2:24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.
- Revelation 2:23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Commentaries on Proverbs 21:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2The Lord pondereth the hearts - Every man feels strongly attached to his own opinions, modes of acting, etc.; and though he will not easily give up any thing to the judgment of a neighbor, whom he will naturally consider at least as fallible as himself, yet he should consider that the unerring eye of God is upon him; and he should endeavor to see that what he does is acceptable in the eye of his Maker and Judge.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2Verse 2 We are partial in judging ourselves and our actions.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2This proverb is almost exactly the same in Proverbs 16:2.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. (Compare Pr 14:2; 16:2-25).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 21:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 21
- 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
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