3:4
Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man: This verse contains the promised result of obeying the advice in 3:3. It is a single sentence in the Hebrew. It does not contain parallel parts.
find favor: To find favor in the sight of someone indicates that they will approve of you, will accept you, or will think well of you.
high regard: The Hebrew phrase śekel ṭob, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as high regard, has been understood in different ways, because its usual meaning, “good competence” or “good sense,” does not fit the context:
(1) Some scholars think that the original Hebrew text was šem ṭob “good name.” Others say that śekel has two distinct senses and that the second sense, “repute” is the one used here. Still others understand the whole phrase to mean “a reputation for good understanding/competence.” Either way, the phrase would mean:
a good reputation (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
good repute (New Revised Standard Version)
(2) Other scholars say that “good competence” is a figure of speech (metonymy) that represents its result, namely, “success.” For example:
Thus you will find…success… (New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and scholars.
in the sight of God and man: This phrase refers to the viewpoint or opinion of God and people. Some other ways to translate this whole verse are:
Then God and people will like you and hold you in high regard.
-or-
Then you will be respected and will please both God and people. (New Century Version)
-or-
If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you. (Good News Translation)
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