34 Although the word אַשְׁרֵי (’ashre, “blessed”) is frequently translated “happy” here (so , , , , , , ), such a translation can be somewhat misleading because the word means more than that—“happiness” depends on one’s circumstances. This word reflects that inner joy and heavenly bliss which comes to the person who is pleasing to God, whose way is right before God.
35 Heb “the man” (also again in the following line).
36 The perfect tense verb may be classified as a characteristic or gnomic perfect, as the parallel imperfect tense verb suggests (see note on v. ).
37 The imperfect tense verb may be classified as a progressive or habitual imperfect.
38 Heb “her profit.” The 3rd person feminine singular suffix on the noun is probably a genitive of source: “from her.”
39 Heb “profit.” The noun סַחַר (sakhar, “trading profit”) often refers to the financial profit of traveling merchants (Isa 23:3, 18; 45:14; ). The related participle describes a traveling “trader, dealer, wholesaler, merchant” (e.g., Gen 37:28; Prov 31:14; Isa 23:2; Ezek 27:36; סחר qal.2). Here the noun is used figuratively to describe the moral benefit of wisdom.
40 The noun סַחַר (“profit”) is repeated in this line for emphasis. The two usages draw upon slightly different nuances, creating a polysemantic wordplay. The moral “benefit” of wisdom is more “profitable” than silver.
41 Heb “her yield.” The 3rd person feminine singular suffix on the noun is probably a genitive of source: “from her.”
42 Heb “yield.” The noun תְּבוּאָה (tévu’ah, “product; yield”) is normally used of crops and harvests ( 100 1). Here it is figurative for the moral benefit of wisdom ( 100 2.b).
43 The phrase “is better” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the parallelism; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness.
44 Heb “all of your desires cannot compare with her.”
45 Heb “your desires.” The 2nd person masculine singular suffix on the noun probably functions as subjective genitive.
46 The imperfect tense verb יָסַד (yasad, “to establish be like; to resemble”) has a potential nuance here: “can be compared with.”
47 Heb “All of your desires do not compare with her.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Blessed are those who find wisdom,

those who gain understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver

and yields better returns than gold.

She is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire can compare with her.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Happy is a man who finds wisdom

and who acquires understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver,

and her revenue is better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels;

nothing you desire can equal her.

NLTNew Living Translation

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,

the one who gains understanding.

For wisdom is more profitable than silver,

and her wages are better than gold.

Wisdom is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire can compare with her.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Happy is the one who finds wisdom,

and one who obtains understanding.

For her income is better than the income of silver,

and her revenue than that of gold.

She is more precious than rubies,

and all your desires shall not compare with her.

KJV 1900King James Version

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,

And the man that getteth understanding.

For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,

And the gain thereof than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies:

And all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Public Domain