9:3 She has sent out her female servants;
she calls out on the highest places 1 of the city.
16:21 The one who is wise in heart 2 is called 3 discerning,
and kind speech 4 increases persuasiveness. 5
1 tn The text uses two synonymous terms in construct to express the superlative degree.
2 tn Heb “wise of heart” (so NRSV).
3 tn Heb “to the wise of heart it will be called discerning.” This means that the wise of heart, those who make wise decisions (“heart” being the metonymy), will gain a reputation of being the discerning ones.
4 tn Heb “sweetness of lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause, meaning what is said. It is a genitive of specification. The idea of “sweetness” must be gracious and friendly words. The teaching will be well-received because it is both delightful and persuasive (cf. NIV “pleasant words promote instruction”).
5 tn Heb “teaching” or “receptivity”; KJV “learning”; NIV “instruction.”