Proverbs 21:2 “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.”

Proverbs 21:2

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

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

World English Bible

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.

American Standard Version

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.

Geneva Bible 1599

Euery way of a man is right in his owne eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

Darby Translation

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.

Young's Literal Translation

Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.

Bible in Basic English

Every way of a man seems right to himself, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.

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Cross references

“right”

Proverbs 16:2 Proverbs 16:25 Proverbs 30:12 James 1:22 Psalm 36:2 Galatians 6:3

Proverbs 16:2 · BSB

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

Proverbs 16:25 · BSB

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

Proverbs 30:12 · BSB

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

James 1:22 · BSB

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

Psalm 36:2 · BSB

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

Galatians 6:3 · BSB

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

“the Lord”

Luke 16:15 Jeremiah 17:10 1 Samuel 16:7 Proverbs 24:12 Revelation 2:23 John 2:24

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.

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.”

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?

Revelation 2:23 · BSB

Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

John 2:24 · BSB

But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all.

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

In context

1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Read Proverbs 21