Proverbs 10:31
New English Translation
31 The speech[a] of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom,[b]
but the one who speaks perversion[c] will be destroyed.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:31 tn Heb “the mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech.
- Proverbs 10:31 tn Heb “bears wisdom.” The verb נוּב (nuv) means “to bear fruit.” It is used figuratively of the righteous; they produce wisdom and righteousness. The term חָכְמָה (khokhmah, “wisdom”) represents the “fruit” that the righteous bear: “they bear the fruit of wisdom” (BDB 626 s.v.).
- Proverbs 10:31 tn Heb “the tongue of perversions.” The noun תַּהְפֻּכוֹת (tahpukhot, “perversions”) functions as a genitive of content; it refers to what the tongue says—perverse things. The plural form depicts a plural of character. The term לָשׁוֹן (lashon, “tongue”) functions as a synecdoche of part (= tongue) for the whole person (= the speaker). The tongue is emphasized because this person is characterized by perverse speech. The term תַּהְפֻּכוֹת (“perversions”) refers to those who turn things upside down, overthrow, or pervert what is right.
- Proverbs 10:31 tn Heb “will be cut off” (so NAB, NRSV, NLT); cf. KJV, NASB, NIV “cut out.” Their tongue will be cut off, a hyperbole meaning to bring to an end the evil that they speak.
Proverbs 10:31
New International Version
Proverbs 10:31
King James Version
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
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Proverbs 10:31
New King James Version
31 (A)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
But the perverse tongue will be cut out.
Proverbs 10:31
English Standard Version
31 (A)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
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