Paragraph 2:20–22
This paragraph concludes the second lesson by giving the result (2:20) of being protected by wisdom (2:11ff). The final two verses (2:21–22) connect primarily with the chapter as a whole rather than with 2:20. They summarize the differing consequences of good and bad conduct.
2:20
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
20a So you will follow in the ways of the good,
20b and keep to the paths of the righteous.
2:20a–b
So: This word introduces the result of wisdom’s protection. Other ways to introduce this result are:
Thus (New American Bible)
-or-
As a result
This verse connects back to the statements in 2:11–12 and 2:16 that wisdom will protect/save the young man. In some languages, it may be hard to understand this connection, because the intervening verses describe wicked men and adulterous women. To make this connection clear, you may need to make it explicit. For example:
So ⌊if wisdom protects you⌋
you will follow in the ways of the good, and keep to the paths of the righteous: There are two ways to interpret the verbs follow and keep in this verse:
(1) The verbs give a concluding result. They describe what will happen if people follow wisdom and live under her protection. For example:
Thus you will tread the way of good people, (New Jerusalem Bible)
(2) The verbs give a concluding command. For example:
So you must follow the example of good people and live a righteous life. (Good News Translation)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The Hebrew verbs in 2:20 are statements, not commands.
As in previous verses, the metaphors ways and paths refer to conduct. Since good and righteous refer to the same people, it may be more natural in some languages to combine and/or reorder these parallel parts. See 2:20a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display. Another way to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts is:
wisdom will help you be good and do what is right (New Century Version)
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