Pro 21:2 | NET2full | STEP | All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion , but the Lord evaluates his thoughts .

‏ Proverbs 21:2

2 All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, ^{▼▼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.}
but the Lord evaluates ^{▼▼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).} his thoughts. ^{▼▼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).}