New Living Translation
Proverbs 5:21
21For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
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
19She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. 20Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman? For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. 22An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. 23He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.
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 Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.”
- Job 31:4Doesn’t he see everything I do and every step I take?
- Job 34:21“For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do.
- Psalms 11:4But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.
- Psalms 17:3You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say.
- Psalms 139:1O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
- Jeremiah 16:17I am watching them closely, and I see every sin. They cannot hope to hide from me.
- Jeremiah 17:10But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
- Jeremiah 23:24Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord.
- Jeremiah 32:19You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles. You see the conduct of all people, and you give them what they deserve.
- Hosea 7:2Its people don’t realize that I am watching them. Their sinful deeds are all around them, and I see them all.
- Hebrews 4:13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
- Revelation 2:18“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, 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
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