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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 21:8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/20_Pro_21_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 21:8 - The King's Heart" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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the innocent travel a straight road.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The way of man <i>is</i> froward and strange: but <i>as for</i> the pure, his work <i>is</i> right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The way of a guilty man <i>is</i> perverse; But <i>as for</i> the pure, his work <i>is</i> right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The way of a guilty person is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The way of a guilty man is perverse, But as for the pure, his work is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A guilty one’s conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A guilty man&#8217s conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />All crooks are liars, but anyone who is innocent will do right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the behavior of those who are pure is moral. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Guilty people walk a crooked path; the innocent do what is right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The way of a man who is vile [is] contrary, "" And the pure—his work [is] upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Froward is the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright is his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The way of man is crooked and strange: and the pure his work is right.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The perverse way of a man is foreign. But whoever is pure: his work is upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />One’s path may be winding and unfamiliar, but one’s conduct is blameless and right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who perverts his own way acts strangely; but he who is pure, his works are right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He that perverts his way is a strange man, and the works of the pure one are right.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The way of man is froward and strange; But as for the pure, his work is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/21-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=4199" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">The King's Heart</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">The way</a> <a href="/hebrew/2054.htm" title="2054: wā·zār (Adj-ms) -- Criminal, guilty. Presumed to be from an unused root meaning to bear guilt; crime.">of a guilty</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/2019.htm" title="2019: hă·p̄aḵ·paḵ (Adj-ms) -- Crooked. By reduplication from haphak; very perverse.">is crooked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6467.htm" title="6467: pā·‘o·lōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Doing, deed, work. From pa'al; an act or work.">but the conduct</a> <a href="/hebrew/2134.htm" title="2134: wə·zaḵ (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Pure, clean. From zakak; clear.">of the innocent</a> <a href="/hebrew/3477.htm" title="3477: yā·šār (Adj-ms) -- Straight, right. From yashar; straight.">is upright.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-12.htm">Romans 3:12</a></span><br />All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-8.htm">Isaiah 59:8</a></span><br />The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their tracks. They have turned them into crooked paths; no one who treads on them will know peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a></span><br />Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/125-5.htm">Psalm 125:5</a></span><br />But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-7.htm">1 John 3:7-8</a></span><br />Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. / The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a></span><br />for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/14-3.htm">Psalm 14:3</a></span><br />All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-12.htm">1 Peter 3:12</a></span><br />For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-15.htm">Proverbs 2:15</a></span><br />whose paths are crooked and whose ways are devious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19</a></span><br />For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28-32</a></span><br />Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-22.htm">Isaiah 48:22</a></span><br />“There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The way of man is fraudulent and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.</p><p class="hdg">way</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5,6,12</a></b></br> And GOD saw that the wickedness of man <i>was</i> great in the earth, and <i>that</i> every imagination of the thoughts of his heart <i>was</i> only evil continually… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-14.htm">Job 15:14-16</a></b></br> What <i>is</i> man, that he should be clean? and <i>he which is</i> born of a woman, that he should be righteous? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/14-2.htm">Psalm 14:2,3</a></b></br> The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, <i>and</i> seek God… </p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-26.htm">Proverbs 15:26</a></b></br> The thoughts of the wicked <i>are</i> an abomination to the LORD: but <i>the words</i> of the pure <i>are</i> pleasant words.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-12.htm">Proverbs 30:12</a></b></br> <i>There is</i> a generation <i>that are</i> pure in their own eyes, and <i>yet</i> is not washed from their filthiness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/12-10.htm">Daniel 12:10</a></b></br> Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/20-30.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-11.htm">Conduct</a> <a href="/psalms/69-27.htm">Crime</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-20.htm">Crooked</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-2.htm">Devious</a> <a href="/psalms/150-2.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-20.htm">Froward</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-17.htm">Full</a> <a href="/psalms/69-5.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-15.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-4.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-9.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/psalms/144-14.htm">Laden</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-11.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-7.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-16.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-1.htm">Twisted</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-28.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-21.htm">Vile</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-12.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/22-11.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-8.htm">Conduct</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-11.htm">Crime</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-6.htm">Crooked</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-15.htm">Devious</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-24.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Froward</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-16.htm">Full</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-17.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-24.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-11.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-24.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-25.htm">Laden</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-11.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-15.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-14.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Twisted</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-12.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-5.htm">Vile</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">The king's heart in the hand of the Lord</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The way of a guilty man is crooked</b><br>This phrase highlights the moral and ethical deviation of those who are guilty. In biblical context, "crooked" often refers to a path that is not straight, symbolizing a life that is not aligned with God's commandments. The Hebrew word for "crooked" can also imply deceit and moral corruption. This aligns with passages like <a href="/isaiah/59-8.htm">Isaiah 59:8</a>, which speaks of the way of peace being unknown to the wicked. Historically, the imagery of a crooked path would resonate with an agrarian society familiar with the importance of straight paths for travel and agriculture. Theologically, it underscores the idea that sin distorts one's life direction, leading away from God's intended path.<p><b>but the conduct of the innocent is upright</b><br>In contrast, the "innocent" are those who live in accordance with God's laws, and their conduct is described as "upright." This term suggests integrity and righteousness, qualities that are highly valued throughout Scripture. The upright path is often associated with wisdom and divine favor, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/11-5.htm">Proverbs 11:5</a>, which states that the righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight. The cultural context of ancient Israel placed a high value on community and social harmony, which was maintained through upright conduct. This phrase also points to the ultimate fulfillment of righteousness in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of innocence and uprightness, as seen in <a href="/1_peter/2-22.htm">1 Peter 2:22</a>, which affirms that He committed no sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/guilty_man.htm">Guilty Man</a></b><br>Represents individuals who live in sin and deceit, whose paths are morally and ethically twisted.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/innocent.htm">Innocent</a></b><br>Refers to those who live righteously, with integrity and honesty, following God's commandments.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and understanding.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written, emphasizing wisdom and moral living.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_path/way.htm">The Path/Way</a></b><br>A metaphor for one's life journey and moral choices, common in wisdom literature.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_crooked_and_upright.htm">Understanding Crooked and Upright</a></b><br>The Hebrew word for "crooked" ('iqqesh) implies perversion and deceit, while "upright" (yashar) suggests straightness and integrity. Reflect on how these qualities manifest in daily life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_choices_matter.htm">Moral Choices Matter</a></b><br>Our daily decisions reflect our spiritual state. The "way" we choose reveals our character and relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>A crooked path leads to destruction and separation from God. Recognize the importance of repentance and seeking God's guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuing_righteousness.htm">Pursuing Righteousness</a></b><br>Strive to live a life that aligns with God's will, seeking His wisdom and strength to maintain an upright path.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_community.htm">Role of Community</a></b><br>Surround yourself with fellow believers who encourage and hold you accountable in your walk with Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_animals_suffer_if_they_can't_sin.htm">If suffering is a test, why do animals suffer too? They don't have free will or sin.</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_unjust_suffering.htm">Proverbs 17:15 declares it detestable to acquit the guilty or condemn the innocent. Why, then, do biblical narratives sometimes show God allowing what appears to be unjust suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_cite_jerusalem's_violence.htm">In Ezekiel 22:2-5, why does God single out Jerusalem's bloodshed without clear archaeological evidence of such extensive violence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_hate_if_'god_is_love'.htm">Why does Proverbs 6:16-19 say God hates certain behaviors if 'God is love' elsewhere (e.g., 1 John 4:8)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">The way of man is froward and strange.--</span>The words may also mean "Tortuous is the way of a man who is laden with sin." (Comp. <a href="/proverbs/2-15.htm" title="Whose ways are crooked, and they fraudulent in their paths:">Proverbs 2:15</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The way of man is froward and strange;</span> Vulgate, <span class="accented">Perversa via viri, aliens est</span>. Both this and the Authorized Version miss the antithesis between the guilty and the pure man, which is intended. In <span class="hebrew">וזר</span>, translated "and strange" (which seems to mean "alien from what is right"), the <span class="accented">vav</span> is not the copulative, but part of the word, which is an adjective signifying "laden with guilt;" so that the clause ought to be rendered, "Crooked is the way of a guilty man" (see note on Proverbs 2:15, where, however, the word is different, though the idea is analogous). An evil man's way of life is not open and straightforward, simple and uniform, but stealthy, crooked, perverse, whither his evil inclinations lead him. Septuagint, "To the crooked (<span class="greek">σκολιοὺς</span>) God sendeth crooked ways;" which recalls <a href="/psalms/18-26.htm">Psalm 18:26</a>, "With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the perverse thou wilt show thyself froward." God allows the wicked to punish themselves by falling into mischief. <span class="cmt_word">As for the pure, his work is right;</span> or, <span class="accented">straight</span> (<a href="/proverbs/20-11.htm">Proverbs 20:11</a>). The pure in heart will be right in action; he follows his conscience and God's law, and goes direct on his course without turning or hesitation. The LXX. refers the clause to God: "for pure and right are his ways." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/21-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The way</span><br /><span class="heb">דֶּ֣רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a guilty</span><br /><span class="heb">וָזָ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(wā·zār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2054.htm">Strong's 2054: </a> </span><span class="str2">Criminal, guilty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is crooked,</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲפַכְפַּ֬ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(hă·p̄aḵ·paḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2019.htm">Strong's 2019: </a> </span><span class="str2">Very perverse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but the conduct</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּעֳלֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(pā·‘o·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6467.htm">Strong's 6467: </a> </span><span class="str2">Doing, deed, work</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the innocent</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝זַ֗ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·zaḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2134.htm">Strong's 2134: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pure, clean</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is upright.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָשָׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(yā·šār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3477.htm">Strong's 3477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Straight, right</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/21-8.htm">Proverbs 21:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21-8.htm">Proverbs 21:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/21-8.htm">Proverbs 21:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21-8.htm">Proverbs 21:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21-8.htm">Proverbs 21:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/21-8.htm">Proverbs 21:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/21-8.htm">Proverbs 21:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/21-8.htm">Proverbs 21:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/21-8.htm">Proverbs 21:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/21-8.htm">Proverbs 21:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:8 The way of the guilty is devious (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/21-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 21:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 21:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>