Proverbs 22:29

Do you see a person skilled ¹  in his work? He will take his position before kings; he will not take his position ²  before obscure people. ³ 

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.

Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.

Observe people who are good at their work--skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone.

Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.

Do you see those who are skillful in their work? they will serve kings; they will not serve common people.

Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men .

Do you see a person skilled ¹  in his work? He will take his position before kings; he will not take his position ²  before obscure people. ³ 

¹ sn The word translated “skilled” is general enough to apply to any crafts; but it may refer to a scribe or an official (R. N. Whybray, Proverbs [CBC], 134).

² tn The verb form used twice here is יִתְיַצֵּב (yityatsev), the Hitpael imperfect of יָצַב (yatsav), which means “to set or station oneself; to take one’s stand” in this stem. With the form לִפְנֵי (life) it means “to present oneself before” someone; so here it has the idea of serving as a courtier in the presence of a king.

³ sn The fifth saying affirms that true skill earns recognition and advancement (cf. Instruction of Amenemope, chap. 30, 27:16-17 [ANET 424]).