Proverbs Chapter 21 verse 8 Holy Bible
The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right.
read chapter 21 in ASV
Twisted is the way of him who is full of crime; but as for him whose heart is clean, his work is upright.
read chapter 21 in BBE
Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
read chapter 21 in DARBY
The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
read chapter 21 in KJV
read chapter 21 in WBT
The way of the guilty is devious, But the conduct of the innocent is upright.
read chapter 21 in WEB
Froward `is' the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright `is' his work.
read chapter 21 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 8. - The way of man is froward and strange; Vulgate, Perversa via viri, aliens est. Both this and the Authorized Version miss the antithesis between the guilty and the pure man, which is intended. In וזר, translated "and strange" (which seems to mean "alien from what is right"), the vav 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 (σκολιοὺς) God sendeth crooked ways;" which recalls Psalm 18:26, "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. As for the pure, his work is right; or, straight (Proverbs 20:11). 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."
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) The way of man is froward and strange.--The words may also mean "Tortuous is the way of a man who is laden with sin." (Comp. Proverbs 2:15.)
