New King James Version
Proverbs 21:2
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.
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.
- New International Version (NIV)A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
- New Living Translation (NLT)People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.
Context of Proverbs 21:2
1The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. 3To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 4A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are 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 the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.
- Proverbs 20:6Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?
- Proverbs 30:12There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
- Psalms 36:2For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.
- Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
- Galatians 6:3For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- James 1:22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
- Proverbs 24:12If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
- 1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
- Jeremiah 17:10I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
- Luke 16:15And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
- John 2:24But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,
- Revelation 2:23I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries