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Proverbs 3:27-28
New English Translation
Proverbs 3:27-28
New English Translation
Wisdom Demonstrated in Relationships with People
27 Do not withhold good from those who need it,[a]
when you[b] have the ability[c] to help.[d]
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go! Return tomorrow
and I will give it,” when you have it with you at the time.[e]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:27 tn The MT has “from its possessors” and the LXX simply has “from the poor.” C. H. Toy (Proverbs [ICC], 77) suggests emending the text to read “neighbors” (changing בְּעָלָיו [beʿalayv] to רֵעֶיךָ, reʿekha) but that is gratuitous. The idea can be explained as being those who need to possess it, or as BDB 127 s.v. בַּעַל has it with an objective genitive, “the owner of it” = the one to whom it is due.
- Proverbs 3:27 tc The Kethib is the dual form יָדֶיךָ (yadekha, “your hands”); the Qere is the singular יָדְךָ (yadekha, “your hand”). Normally the Qere is preferred because it represents an alternate textual tradition that the Masoretes viewed as superior to the received text.tn Heb “your hand.” The term יָדְךָ (yadekha, “your hand”) functions as a synecdoche of part (= your hand) for the whole person (= you).
- Proverbs 3:27 tn Heb “it is to the power of your hand.” This expression is idiomatic for “it is in your power” or “you have the ability” (Gen 31:29; Deut 28:23; Neh 5:5; Mic 2:1). The noun אֵל (ʾel) means “power” (BDB 43 s.v. 7), and יָד (yad, “hand”) is used figuratively to denote “ability” (BDB 390 s.v. 2). Several translations render this as “when it is in your power to do it” (KJV, RSV, NRSV, NASB) or “when it is in your power to act” (NIV). W. McKane suggests, “when it is in your power to confer it” (Proverbs [OTL], 215).
- Proverbs 3:27 tn Heb “to do [it]” (cf. KJV, NASB, NRSV).
- Proverbs 3:28 tn Heb “But there it is with you.” The circumstantial clause introduces a condition which true at the same time as as an earlier clause. The words “at the time” were for clarity.
Proverbs 3:27-28
English Standard Version
Proverbs 3:27-28
English Standard Version
28 (B)Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:27 Hebrew Do not withhold good from its owners
New English Translation (NET)
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English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.