Logos Bible Study

Proverbs 21:1–3

New International Version (2011)Other versions

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

that he channels toward all who please him.d

2A person may think their own ways are right,

but the Lord weighs the heart.e

3To do what is right and just

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.f

Read in Logos
Proverbs 21:1: The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

Cross references

  1. dEst 5:1; Jer 39:11–12
  2. eSee Pr 16:2
  3. fSee 1 Sa 15:22; Isa 1:11; Mic 6:6–8

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

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

he turns it wherever he will.

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

but the Lord weighs the heart.

To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

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

He directs it wherever he chooses.

All a person’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord weighs hearts.

Doing what is righteous and just

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

NLTNew Living Translation

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.

The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just

than when we offer him sacrifices.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

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.

Doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable

to Yahweh than sacrifice.

KJV 1900King James Version

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.

To do justice and judgment

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.