This verse is almost identical with 16.2. Here it continues the theme of verse 1, the Lord‘s control of the thoughts, motives, and plans of people.

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes”: See 16.2 for comments. Here the term “right” is used rather than “pure,” but the sense is the same.

“But the Lord weighs the heart”: Here the Hebrew has “the heart” (literally the plural “hearts”) rather than “spirits,” which is used in 16.2; but again the sense is the same. It refers to the thoughts or motives of people: “the Lord judges your motives” (Good News Translation).

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .