Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Parallel translations
- WEB Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
- BSB All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
- ESV Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
- NKJV Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.
- NASB Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord examines the hearts.
- NLT People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.
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
People justify their own ways, but the Lord weighs the heart. It matters because God's evaluation, not our self-assessment, is what counts.
Overview
We are prone to self-deception, seeing our conduct as right while God examines our true motives (Proverbs 16:2; Jeremiah 17:9-10). The verse humbles self-righteousness and calls for honesty before God. Only the Lord, who searches hearts, can rightly judge — and only his grace can cleanse them.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Prov 16:2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
- Prov 16:25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- Luke 16:15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
- Jer 17:10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
- Prov 30:12There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
- 1 Sam 16:7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
- Prov 24:12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
- Ps 36:2For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
- Jas 1:22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
- Gal 6:3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
- Luke 18:11–12The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
- Rev 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
- Prov 20:6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
- John 2:24–25But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 21:2 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
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