21:21
In this proverb, the second line gives the rewards that are the result of pursuing good character traits.
21a He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion
21b finds life, righteousness, and honor.
21:21a
He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion: A person who pursues righteousness and loving devotion makes a deliberate effort to have or show these qualities in his life. He tries hard to do what is right and to show faithful love and kindness to other people.
righteousness: The word righteousness was last used in 21:3, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “righteousness.”
loving devotion: This phrase has three aspects of meaning: loyalty, love, and kindness. It was last used in 20:28. If you are able to translate more than one aspect of meaning, you are encouraged to do so. For example:
faithful love (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
unfailing love (New Living Translation (2004))
Some other ways to translate 21:21a are:
He who strives to do good and kind deeds (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
He who perseveres in right conduct and loyalty (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Whoever tries to live right and be loyal (New Century Version)
21:21b
(New International Version (2011)) finds life, prosperity, and honor: There is a textual issue here:
(1) The Masoretic Text has three terms: life, righteousness/prosperity, and honor. For example:
attains life, success, and honor (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
(2) The LXX has two terms: life and honor. For example:
will find life and honor (New Revised Standard Version)
It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most versions and scholars.
There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word ṣǝdaqah, which the New International Version translates here as prosperity. The New International Version and Berean Standard Bible translate the same word as “righteousness” in 21:21a.
(1) The word means “prosperity ” or “success.” There is a deliberate wordplay between “righteousness” in 21:21a and its effect, “prosperity” in 21:21b. For example:
finds life, prosperity, and honour (Revised English Bible)
(2) The word means “righteousness ” or “uprightness.” The author wants to emphasize that a person who pursues a righteous character will attain it. For example:
will find life, righteousness, and honor (English Standard Version)
The Display follows interpretation (1). You may follow either interpretation. Both are well supported by versions and scholars. Whatever interpretation you choose, it is suggested that you add a footnote that gives both meanings. For example, if you choose interpretation (1), a possible footnote is:
(New International Version) life: In this context, the word life implies a long and good life. See the Good News Translation (quoted above).
(New International Version) prosperity: The Hebrew word that is used here can refer to righteous behavior. It can also refer to prosperity, a reward of righteousness. People who spoke Hebrew probably thought about both meanings when they read this verse.
If you decide to follow interpretation (2), the Good News Translation shows one way to avoid repeating the same term. For the whole verse, it has:
Be kind and honest and you will live a long life; others will respect you and treat you fairly.
(New International Version) honor: The word honor refers here to being respected by others in the community and having a good reputation.
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