Bible Strands
Proverbs 16:20
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author of Proverbs addresses a general audience seeking practical wisdom, framing the instruction within the immediate context of humble conduct and discerning speech.
The words — מַשְׂכִּיל (mas.kîl) literally means one who gives attention, and בּוֹטֵחַ (bōṭēaḥ) denotes one who places trust.
The thread — The promise of divine blessing for those who trust Yahweh recurs in Jeremiah 17:7, Psalm 2:12, and Isaiah 26:3.
Why it lands — The text states that heeding instruction yields success and trusting Yahweh brings blessing, requiring the reader to actively listen to wisdom and fix their confidence on God rather than themselves.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.
- Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
- Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
- Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.
- Psalms 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
- Psalms 146:5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
- Proverbs 19:8 He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
- Daniel 6:23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den, and when Daniel was lifted out of the den, no wounds whatsoever were found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
- Psalms 125:1 A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever.
- Proverbs 8:35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.