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Proverbs 21:1–2

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;

he yturns it wherever he will.

zEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes,

but the Lord aweighs the heart.

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Proverbs 21:1–2 — The New International Version (NIV)

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water

that he channels toward all who please him.

A person may think their own ways are right,

but the Lord weighs the heart.

Proverbs 21:1–2 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water:

He turneth it whithersoever he will.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes:

But the Lord pondereth the hearts.

Proverbs 21:1–2 — New Living Translation (NLT)

The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;

he guides it wherever he pleases.

People may be right in their own eyes,

but the Lord examines their heart.

Proverbs 21:1–2 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,

Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,

But the Lord weighs the hearts.

Proverbs 21:1–2 — New Century Version (NCV)

The Lord can control a king’s mind as he controls a river;

he can direct it as he pleases.

You may believe you are doing right,

but the Lord judges your reasons.

Proverbs 21:1–2 — American Standard Version (ASV)

The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses:

He turneth it whithersoever he will.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes;

But Jehovah weighteth the hearts.

Proverbs 21:1–2 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

The king’s heart in the hand of Jehovah is as brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

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

Proverbs 21:1–2 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

The king’s heart is like streams of water. 

Both are under the Lord’s control. 

He turns them in any direction he chooses. 

A person thinks everything he does is right, 

but the Lord weighs hearts. 

Proverbs 21:1–2 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand:

He directs it wherever He chooses.

All a man’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord evaluates the motives.

Proverbs 21:1–2 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;

he turns it wherever he will.

All deeds are right in the sight of the doer,

but the Lord weighs the heart.

Proverbs 21:1–2 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

Streams of water are the heart of a king in the hand of Yahweh;

wherever he will desire, he will turn.

Every way of a man is upright in his own eyes,

but Yahweh weighs hearts.

Proverbs 21:1–2 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord.

He directs it like a stream of water anywhere he pleases.

Everything a man does might seem right to him.

But the Lord knows what he is thinking.

Proverbs 21:1–2 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;

He turns it wherever He wishes.

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,

But the Lord weighs the hearts.


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