Proverbs 16:2 “All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed…”

Proverbs 16:2

All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

World English Bible

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.

American Standard Version

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

Geneva Bible 1599

All the wayes of a man are cleane in his owne eyes: but the Lord pondereth the spirits.

Darby Translation

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

Young's Literal Translation

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.

Bible in Basic English

All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales.

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Cross references

“the ways”

Proverbs 21:2 Proverbs 30:12 Psalm 36:2 Proverbs 16:25 Luke 18:9–11 Romans 7:7–9

Proverbs 21:2 · BSB

All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Proverbs 30:12 · BSB

There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.

Psalm 36:2 · BSB

For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin.

Proverbs 16:25 · BSB

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Luke 18:9–11 · BSB

To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:

Romans 7:7–9 · BSB

What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”

“but”

1 Samuel 16:7 Luke 16:15 Jeremiah 17:10 Proverbs 24:12 Proverbs 5:21 Daniel 5:27

1 Samuel 16:7 · BSB

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Luke 16:15 · BSB

So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

Jeremiah 17:10 · BSB

I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Proverbs 24:12 · BSB

If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?

Proverbs 5:21 · BSB

For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.

Daniel 5:27 · BSB

TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.

3Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

Read Proverbs 16