Amsal 9:3

9:3 She has sent out her female servants;

she calls out on the highest places ¹  of the city.

Amsal 16:21

16:21 The one who is wise in heart ²  is called ³  discerning,

and kind speech ⁴  increases persuasiveness. ⁵ 

[9:3]  ¹ tn The text uses two synonymous terms in construct to express the superlative degree.

[16:21]  ² tn Heb “wise of heart” (so NRSV).

[16:21]  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.

[16:21]  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”).

[16:21]  ⁵ tn Heb “teaching” or “receptivity”; KJV “learning”; NIV “instruction.”