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Add parallel Print Page Options Listen to Proverbs 21:2, Proverbs 21:12, Proverbs 21:30-31
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Proverbs 21:2
New International Version

2 A person may think their own ways are right,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.(A)

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Proverbs 21:2
New English Translation

2 All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion,[a]
but the Lord evaluates[b] his thoughts.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:2 tn Heb “in his own eyes.” The term “eyes” is a metonymy for estimation, opinion, evaluation. Physical sight is used figuratively for one’s point of view intellectually.
  2. Proverbs 21:2 tn Heb “weighs” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “examines”; NCV, TEV “judges.” Weighing on scales is an act of examining and verifying weight for market purposes (2 Kgs 12:11) but can be used metaphorically for evaluating other things (e.g. the Lord weighs actions in (1 Sam 2:3).
  3. Proverbs 21:2 tn Heb “the minds.” The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) is used as a metonymy of association for thoughts and motives (BDB 660-61 s.v. 6-7). sn It is easy to rationalize one’s point of view and deceive even oneself. But the Lord evaluates our thinking and motives as well (cf. Prov 16:2).
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Proverbs 20
Proverbs 22
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Proverbs 21:12
New International Version

12 The Righteous One[a] takes note of the house of the wicked
    and brings the wicked to ruin.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous person
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Proverbs 21:12
New English Translation

12 The Righteous One[a] considers[b] the house[c] of the wicked;
he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:12 tn In the book of Proverbs, the Hebrew term צַּדִּיק (tsaddiq) normally refers to a human being, and that is a possible translation here (cf. KJV, ASV, NAB), although it would have to refer to a righteous person who was a judge or a ruler with the right to destroy the wicked. Many commentators and English versions simply interpret this as a reference to God (cf. NIV, NRSV, TEV, NLT).
  2. Proverbs 21:12 tn The form מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is now used with the meaning “to consider; to give attention to; to ponder.” It is the careful scrutiny that is given to the household of the wicked before judgment is poured out on them.
  3. Proverbs 21:12 tn Heb “house.” This term probably means “household” here—the family. One way to read the line is that the righteous judge (human or divine) takes into consideration the wicked person’s family before judging the wicked person. The other—and more plausible—interpretation is that the judge considers the household of the wicked and then on the basis of what was observed judges them.
  4. Proverbs 21:12 tn Heb “to evil” (i.e., catastrophe); cf. NLT “to disaster.”
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Proverbs 20
Proverbs 22
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Proverbs 21:30-31
New International Version

30 There is no wisdom,(A) no insight, no plan
    that can succeed against the Lord.(B)

31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but victory rests with the Lord.(C)

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Proverbs 21:30-31
New English Translation

30 There is no wisdom and there is no understanding,
and there is no counsel against[a] the Lord.[b]
31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory is from the Lord.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:30 tn The form לְנֶגֶד (leneged) means “against; over against; in opposition to.” The line indicates they cannot in reality be in opposition, for human wisdom is nothing in comparison to the wisdom of God (J. H. Greenstone, Proverbs, 232).
  2. Proverbs 21:30 sn The verse uses a single sentence to state that all wisdom, understanding, and advice must be in conformity to the will of God to be successful. It states it negatively—these things cannot be in defiance of God (e.g., Job 5:12-13; Isa 40:13-14).
  3. Proverbs 21:31 tn Heb “of the Lord.” The victory being “of the Lord” means that it is accomplished by him. Ultimate success comes from the Lord and not from human efforts. The faithful have acknowledged this down through the ages, even though they have been responsible and have prepared for the wars. Without this belief there would have been no prayer on the eve of battle (e.g., Pss 20:7; 33:17).
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Proverbs 20
Proverbs 22
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