Proverbs 21:30

New English Translation

³⁰There is no wisdom and there is no understanding,
and there is no counsel against^[a] the Lord.^[b]

Proverbs 21:30 tn The form לְנֶגֶד (l^eneged) means “against; over against; in opposition to.” The line indicates they cannot in reality be in opposition, for human wisdom is nothing in comparison to the wisdom of God (J. H. Greenstone, Proverbs, 232).
Proverbs 21:30 sn The verse uses a single sentence to state that all wisdom, understanding, and advice must be in conformity to the will of God to be successful. It states it negatively—these things cannot be in defiance of God (e.g., Job 5:12-13; Isa 40:13-14).

Proverbs 21:30

English Standard Version

³⁰^(A)No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
can avail against the Lord.

¹⁶The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom,^[a]
but the one who hates^[b] unjust gain will prolong his days.

Proverbs 28:16 tn Heb “A prince lacking of understanding [is] also a great oppressor” (both KJV, ASV similar) The last clause, “and a great oppressor,” appears to modify “the prince.” There is little difference in meaning, only in emphasis. The LXX has “lacks income” (reading תְּבוּאוֹת [t^evuʾot] instead of תְּבוּנוֹת [t^evunot]). C. H. Toy (Proverbs [ICC], 501) suggests deleting the word for “prince” altogether, but this emendation is gratuitous.
Proverbs 28:16 tc This follows the Qere reading of the participle which is singular (as opposed to the plural). The implication is that this one is also a ruler, paralleling the first half. But since he “hates” (= rejects) unjust gain he will extend [his] days, meaning he will enjoy a long and happy life (cf. NIV, NRSV, CEV).

¹⁶A ruler who ^(A)lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

New English Translation (NET)

English Standard Version (ESV)