Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD commanded Moses for Israel: Revised Standard Version takes Solomon’s prosperity as a logical consequence of the LORD’s gift of wisdom and insight to him. But his prosperity contains a further condition. Solomon will prosper, but only if he observes the Law. Many modern versions leave the Hebrew adverb rendered Then untranslated in this case (so Good News Translation). Prosper translates the same Hebrew verb rendered “succeed” in verse 11. Other translations here in verse 13 include “have success” (New International Version) and “succeed” (New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, La Bible du Semeur).
If you are careful to observe is literally “if you observe to do.” It may be possible to find a different noun in the receptor language for each of the Hebrew nouns translated statutes and ordinances, but it is not necessary to do so since a clear distinction does not seem intended. The Hebrew word rendered statutes refers to authoritative statements, pronouncements of some kind; and the word rendered ordinances has a wide range of meanings, including “customs,” “commands,” and “judgments.” For Israel may be translated “for Israel to obey.”
In some languages it is difficult to translate clearly clauses that express conditions, as this sentence does. Revised English Bible may provide a good model for some languages: “You will prosper only if you are careful to observe the decrees and ordinances which the LORD enjoined upon Moses for Israel.” Compare also “Success will be yours, only if you observe the statutes and ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses as regulations for Israel” (New Jerusalem Bible). In other languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of the clauses in this sentence by expressing the condition before the result (so Good News Translation, Bible en français courant).
Be strong, and of good courage: David’s words to Solomon in the rest of this verse are similar to God’s words to Joshua in Josh 1.6-9. Here David encourages his son for the task of building the Temple. The command Be strong does not refer to physical strength, but strength in character. Alternative models for this whole sentence are “be strong and resolute” (Revised English Bible) and “Be brave and steadfast.”
Fear not; be not dismayed: The Hebrew verb rendered dismayed has a range of meanings, including “be terrified,” “be dismayed,” and “be disheartened.” In this context a rendering such as “discouraged” (New International Version) or “lose heart” (New American Bible) seems to express the intended meaning.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .