16:7
The first line describes the circumstance or condition under which the result in the second line takes place.
7a When a man’s ways please the LORD,
7b He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
16:7a
When a man’s ways please the LORD: For the word please, see the note on 11:1b. The phrase a man’s ways refers to a person’s conduct or lifestyle. Some other ways to translate this line are:
When people live so that they please the Lord (New Century Version)
-or-
When the Lord approves someone’s conduct (Revised English Bible)
16:7b
He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him: The subject of this line is ambiguous. It can refer to the LORD or to the person whose conduct pleases the LORD. There are three interpretations:
(1) Either the LORD or the person causes the enemies to make peace. For example:
even their enemies will make peace with them (New Century Version)
Technically, in the New Century Version and Contemporary English Version, the enemies are the subject of the sentence. But it is ambiguous as to who causes the enemies to make peace.
(2) The LORD causes the enemies to make peace with the man. For example:
he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them (New Revised Standard Version)
(3) The person causes his enemies to make peace with himself. For example:
he even reconciles his enemies to himself (NET Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions. This interpretation allows either meaning. If this is not possible, then you may follow interpretation (2). More commentaries support this interpretation.
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