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Proverbs 16:20
Christian Standard Bible

20 The one who understands a matter finds success,(A)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.(B)

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Proverbs 16:20
New English Translation

20 The one who deals wisely[a] in a matter[b] will find success,[c]
and blessed[d] is the one who trusts in the Lord.[e]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 tn Heb “he who is prudent” or “he who deals wisely” (cf. KJV). The proverb seems to be referring to wise business concerns and the reward for the righteous. One who deals wisely in a matter will find good results. R. N. Whybray sees a contrast here: “The shrewd man of business will succeed well, but the happy man is he who trusts the Lord” (Proverbs [CBC], 92). Synonymous parallelism is more appropriate.
  2. Proverbs 16:20 tn Or “he who gives heed to a word,” that is, “who listens to instruction” (cf. NIV, NLT).
  3. Proverbs 16:20 tn Heb “good” (so KJV, ASV).
  4. Proverbs 16:20 tn Although traditionally this word is translated “happy” (cf. KJV, ASV, NAB, NRSV, NLT), such a translation can be misleading because the word means far more than that. It describes the heavenly bliss that comes from knowing one is right with God and following God’s precepts. The “blessed” could be at odds with the world (Ps 1:1-3).
  5. Proverbs 16:20 tn Heb “and the one who trusts in the Lord—blessed is he.”
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Proverbs 15
Proverbs 17
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Proverbs 16:23
Christian Standard Bible

23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 16:23 Lit learning upon his lips
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Proverbs 16:23
New English Translation

23 A wise person’s heart[a] makes his speech wise[b]
and it adds persuasiveness[c] to his words.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 tn Or “mind” (cf. NCV, NRSV, NLT).
  2. Proverbs 16:23 tn Heb “makes wise his mouth,” with “mouth” being a metonymy of cause for what is said: “speech.”
  3. Proverbs 16:23 sn Those who are wise say wise things. The proverb uses synthetic parallelism: The first line asserts that the wise heart ensures that what is said is wise, and the second line adds that such a person increases the reception of what is said.
  4. Proverbs 16:23 tn Heb “to his lips.” The term “lips” functions as a metonymy of cause for what is said.
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Proverbs 15
Proverbs 17
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New English Translation (NET)

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