“When a man’s ways please the Lord“: For “a man’s ways” see verse 2. New Revised Standard Version has revised this to “the ways of people.” “Please the Lord” means that the Lord accepts or approves; so Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “When the conduct of a person is pleasing to the Lord.” Bible en français courant has “When the Lord approves the behavior of anyone.”

“He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him”: This line says the person who pleases the Lord enjoys happy relations with others, even his former enemies. Interpreters differ in regard to the subject of this line. Revised Standard Version and others are ambiguous. New Revised Standard Version, which says “he causes even their enemies. . .,” makes the Lord the subject. Good News Translation has the same subject “you” throughout in its text. However, its footnote allows the alternative, “he [the Lord] will make. . ..” Translators may follow either of the options in this case. The term rendered “enemies” is used here for the first time in Proverbs. In some languages “enemies” is expressed as “those who hate me” or “people who fight against me.” For “be at peace” see the suggestions at 12.20. “His” and “him” refer to the person who has pleased the Lord. For a model translation see Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .