Proverbs 20:24
22 Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23 Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
26 A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
- KJV
- Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
- WEB
- A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
- ASV
- A man`s goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?
- DARBY
- The steps of a man are from Jehovah; and how can a man understand his own way?
- BLB
- [From] YHWH [are] the steps of man; and how can a man understand his way?
- ÅB
- Herren styrer mannens skritt; hvordan skulle et menneske skjønne sin vei?
- OTB
- Herren leder en persons skritt; hvordan kan da noen fullt ut forstå sin egen vei?
- B1930
- Herren styrer mannens skritt; hvorledes skulde et menneske skjønne sin vei?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Read in contextJeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.
Read in contextPsalms 25:12
Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the path chosen for him.
Read in contextPsalms 37:23
The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.
Read in contextPsalms 25:4
Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.
Read in contextProverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
Read in contextDaniel 5:23
Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.
Read in contextActs 17:28
‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’
Read in context