Proverbs 16:20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

Bible > Proverbs > Chapter 16 > Verse 20

◄ Proverbs 16:20 ►

New International Version
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.

New Living Translation
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful.

English Standard Version
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

King James Bible
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

New King James Version
He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

New American Standard Bible
One who pays attention to the word will find good, And blessed is one who trusts in the LORD.

NASB 1995
He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

NASB 1977
He who gives attention to the word shall find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who considers the word will find good, And how blessed is he who trusts in Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good, And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.

American Standard Version
He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.

Contemporary English Version
If you know what you're doing, you will prosper. God blesses everyone who trusts him.

English Revised Version
He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever gives attention to the LORD's word prospers, and blessed is the person who trusts the LORD.

Good News Translation
Pay attention to what you are taught, and you will be successful; trust in the LORD and you will be happy.

International Standard Version
Whoever listens to a word of instruction prospers, and anyone who trusts in the LORD is blessed.

Majority Standard Bible
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

NET Bible
The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
He who heeds the word finds prosperity, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

World English Bible
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
The wise in any matter finds good, "" And whoever is trusting in YHWH, O his blessedness.

Young's Literal Translation
The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.

Smith's Literal Translation
He understanding in the word shall find good: and he trusting in Jehovah, he being happy.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The learned in word shall find good things. And whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed.

New American Bible
Whoever ponders a matter will be successful; happy the one who trusts in the LORD!

New Revised Standard Version
Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
He who understands a command shall find good; who trusts in the LORD, happy is he!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that understands the word finds good, and he that trusts upon LORD JEHOVAH is blessed.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He who is skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
…19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. 21The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Psalm 119:2
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.

Jeremiah 17:7
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Luke 11:28
But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

James 1:25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

Psalm 40:4
Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

Matthew 7:24
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.

John 13:17
If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Psalm 84:12
O LORD of Hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Psalm 112:1
Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.

1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”

Deuteronomy 28:2
And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God:

Treasury of Scripture

He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

handleth

Proverbs 8:35
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

Proverbs 13:15
Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

Proverbs 17:2
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

whoso

Proverbs 22:19,20
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee…

1 Chronicles 5:20
And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.

Psalm 2:12
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

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Proverbs 16

1. The Plans of the heart

Berean Study Bible

Whoever heeds instruction
The phrase "heeds instruction" is rooted in the Hebrew word "שָׂכַל" (sakal), which means to be prudent, to act wisely, or to prosper. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was not merely intellectual but practical, involving the application of knowledge to life. The act of heeding instruction implies a willingness to listen and apply guidance, which is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible. This phrase underscores the importance of being teachable and open to correction, which is a hallmark of a wise person. In a conservative Christian perspective, this aligns with the belief that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is cultivated through a life of obedience and humility.

will find success
The Hebrew word for "success" here is "טוֹב" (tov), which is often translated as "good" or "prosperity." This success is not merely material but encompasses a holistic sense of well-being and fulfillment. In the biblical context, true success is aligned with living in accordance with God's will and purposes. It suggests that those who are receptive to divine instruction will experience a life that is fruitful and aligned with God's design. This reflects the conservative Christian view that true prosperity is found in spiritual richness and alignment with God's kingdom values.

and blessed is he
The word "blessed" comes from the Hebrew "אֶשֶׁר" (esher), which conveys a state of happiness or blessedness. This term is often used in the Psalms and Proverbs to describe the condition of those who live in accordance with God's commandments. In the biblical worldview, blessedness is not merely a temporary emotional state but a deep-seated joy and contentment that comes from a right relationship with God. This aligns with the conservative Christian understanding that true happiness is found in living a life that honors God and reflects His character.

who trusts in the LORD
The phrase "trusts in the LORD" is central to the biblical message of faith and reliance on God. The Hebrew word for "trust" is "בָּטַח" (batach), which means to have confidence or to feel secure. Trusting in the LORD implies a deep-seated faith and reliance on God's character, promises, and providence. In the historical context of Israel, trust in the LORD was foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people. For conservative Christians, this trust is expressed through faith in Jesus Christ and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It is a call to live a life of faith, knowing that God is sovereign and faithful to His promises. This trust leads to a blessed life, marked by peace and assurance in God's unfailing love and guidance.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) He that handleth a matter wisely.--Or, perhaps, he that attendeth to the word of God. (Comp. Proverbs 13:13.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - He that handleth a matter wisely. Dabar, translated "matter," is better rendered "word," as in Proverbs 13:13, with which passage the present is in contrast. Thus Revised Version, he that giveth heed unto the word. Shall find good; Vulgate, eruditus in verbo reperiet bona. The "Word" is the Law of God; he who attends to this shall prosper. The rendering of the Authorized Version is supported by the Septuagint, "The man prudent in affairs is a finder of good things;" he attends to his business, and thinks out the best mode of accomplishing his plans, and therefore succeeds in a worldly sense (comp. Proverbs 17:20). Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he; or, hail to him, as in Proverbs 14:21. To heed the Word and to trust in the Lord are correlative things; handling a matter wisely can hardly belong to the same category. The Septuagint contrasts the worldly success of one who manages business wisely and discreetly with the blessedness of him who, when he has done all, commits his cause to God and trusts wholly to him: "He who hath trusted in the Lord is blessed (μακαριστός)."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Whoever heeds
מַשְׂכִּ֣יל (maś·kîl)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

instruction
דָּ֭בָר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

will find
יִמְצָא־ (yim·ṣā-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

success,
ט֑וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

and blessed
אַשְׁרָֽיו׃ (’aš·rāw)
Interjection | third person masculine singular
Strong's 835: Happiness, interjection, how happy!

is he who trusts
וּבוֹטֵ֖חַ (ū·ḇō·w·ṭê·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 982: To trust, be confident, sure

in the LORD.
בַּיהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity (Prov. Pro Pr)