There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Parallel translations
- WEB There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
- BSB There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
- ESV There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
- NKJV There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
- NASB There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death.
- NLT There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A path can seem right yet end in death. Human judgment, apart from God's truth, can be fatally mistaken.
Overview
This solemn proverb warns that our own sense of what is right is not a reliable guide, for a way may appear correct and still lead to destruction. It calls for humble dependence on God's wisdom rather than self-confidence. The verse points to humanity's need for the One who is the true way to life, Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Prov 16:25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- Matt 7:13–14Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
- Prov 12:15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
- Gal 6:3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
- Luke 13:24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
- Rom 6:21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
- Prov 30:12There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
- Jas 1:22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
- Eph 5:6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 14:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.