Proverbs 13:16

New English Translation

¹⁶Every shrewd person^[a] acts with knowledge,
but a fool displays^[b] his folly.

Proverbs 13:16 sn The shrewd person knows the circumstances, dangers and pitfalls that lie ahead. So he deals with them wisely. This makes him cautious.
Proverbs 13:16 tn Heb “spreads open” [his folly]. W. McKane suggests that this is a figure of a peddler displaying his wares (Proverbs [OTL], 456; cf. NAB “the fool peddles folly”). If given a chance, a fool will reveal his foolishness in public. But the wise study the facts and make decisions accordingly.

Proverbs 13:16

International Standard Version

¹⁶Every sensible person acts from knowledge,
but a fool demonstrates folly.

¹⁹A desire fulfilled will be sweet^[a] to the soul,
but fools abhor^[b] turning away from evil.^[c]

Proverbs 13:19 tn The verb III עָרַב (ʿarav, “to be sweet”) is stative. The imperfect form of a stative verb should be future tense or modal, not present tense as in most translations.
Proverbs 13:19 tn Heb “an abomination of fools.” The noun כְּסִילִים (k^esilim, “fools”) functions as a subjective genitive: “fools hate to turn away from evil” (cf. NAB, TEV, CEV). T. T. Perowne says: “In spite of the sweetness of good desires accomplished, fools will not forsake evil to attain it” (Proverbs, 103). Cf. Prov 13:12; 29:27.
Proverbs 13:19 tn The word רָע (raʿ, “bad”) can refer to evil and is traditionally taken as such in this verse. However, רָע can also refer to something of little worth. Perhaps the verse comments on the fool’s unwillingness to forego what is inferior or to avoid cutting corners and to persevere for what is truly desirable.

¹⁹Fulfilled longing is sweet to the soul,
but avoiding evil is detestable to the fool.

New English Translation (NET)

International Standard Version (ISV)