16:6
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in function:
6a
By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
6b
and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
There is a logical connection with the preceding verse. Verse 16:5 says that arrogant people will certainly be punished. Verse 16:6 explains how past sin can be atoned for and how future evil can be avoided. This future evil refers to both sin and its consequences.
16:6a
By loving devotion and faithfulness: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as loving devotion has three aspects of meaning: steadfastness/loyalty, love, and kindness. The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as faithfulness describes a person who is loyal or reliable. For more information on the phrase loving devotion and faithfulness, see the note on 3:3a. This word pair also occurs in 14:22b and 20:28a.
Most scholars agree that in all these verses loving devotion and faithfulness are qualities that people show, rather than qualities that God shows. But on this verse, scholars disagree about whether people show these qualities to God or to their fellowmen. Almost all English versions allow either meaning. It is recommended that you do likewise, if that is possible in your language.
If you need to specify the object of love and faithfulness, it is recommended that you specify other people. It is true that “fear of the LORD” is directed toward God. But throughout Proverbs, qualities such as love, kindness, and trustworthiness are directed toward other people, especially people who are poor or oppressed.
iniquity: This word refers here to the iniquity of the person who shows love and faithfulness. The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as iniquity may refer to either sins against the LORD or the guilt associated with such sins.
is atoned for: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is atoned for has at least two aspects of meaning:
(a) It may mean that the sin is covered over or forgiven by the LORD.
(b) It may also mean that the LORD’s anger against sin is appeased or turned away. The result is that he views the sinner as if he had not sinned.
If you have an expression in your language that includes both meanings, you should use it here. If not, you may use either meaning. The meaning lines in the Display follow the first aspect of meaning.
Some other ways to translate 16:6a are:
Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Unfailing love and faithfulness cover sin (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Be loyal and faithful, and God will forgive your sin. (Good News Translation)
-or-
If a person shows love and kindness and is trustworthy, the LORD’s anger will be appeased.
16:6b
by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil: For the phrase the fear of the LORD, see the note on 10:27a. The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as evil can refer to either moral evil or its disastrous consequences.
The Good News Translation focuses on the consequences: “nothing evil will happen to you.” But the parallel part in 16:6a is “sin.” So it may be better to use a term that is ambiguous or else refers specifically to moral evil. For example, the New Century Version could mean either “evil deeds” or “evil consequences.” It has:
By respecting the Lord you will avoid evil.
The Contemporary English Version specifies moral evil. It has:
if we show him respect, we will keep away from sin
© 2012, 2016, 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.