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Proverbs 14:33
New English Translation
Proverbs 14:33
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:33 tc The MT says “it [wisdom] is known,” but this runs counter to the rest of Proverbs’ teaching, making it sound sarcastic at best. The LXX and the Syriac negate the clause, saying it is “not known in the heart fools” (cf. NAB, NRSV, TEV, NLT), which suggests the word לֹא (loʾ, “not”) has dropped out. The Targum supports reading אִוֶּלֶת (ʾivvelet) “folly is in the heart of fools.” Thomas connects the verb to the Arabic root wdʿ and translates it “in fools it is suppressed.” See D. W. Thomas, “The Root ידע in Hebrew,” JTS 35 (1934): 302-3.
- Proverbs 14:33 tn Heb “in the inner part”; ASV “in the inward part”; NRSV “in the heart of fools.”
Proverbs 14:33
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 14:33
Amplified Bible
33
Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known.(A)
Proverbs 14:33
New International Version
Proverbs 14:33
New International Version
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
Proverbs 15:2
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:2
New English Translation
2 The tongue of the wise[a] treats knowledge correctly,[b]
but the mouth of the fool spouts out[c] folly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:2 sn The contrast is between the “tongue of the wise” and the “mouth of the fool.” Both expressions are metonymies of cause; the subject matter is what they say. How wise people are can be determined from what they say.
- Proverbs 15:2 tn Or “makes knowledge acceptable” (so NASB). The verb תֵּיטִיב (tetiv, Hiphil imperfect of יָטַב [yatav, “to be good”]) can be translated “to make good” or “to treat in a good [or, excellent] way” (C. H. Toy, Proverbs [ICC], 303). M. Dahood, however, suggests emending the text to תֵּיטִיף (tetif) which is a cognate of נָטַף (nataf, “drip”), and translates “tongues of the sages drip with knowledge” (Proverbs and Northwest Semitic Philology, 32-33). But this change is gratuitous and unnecessary.
- Proverbs 15:2 sn The Hiphil verb יַבִּיעַ (yabbiaʿ) means “to pour out; to emit; to cause to bubble; to belch forth.” The fool bursts out with reckless utterances (cf. TEV “spout nonsense”).
Proverbs 15:2
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 15:2
Amplified Bible
2
The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable,
But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.
Proverbs 15:2
New International Version
Proverbs 15:2
New International Version
Proverbs 15:5
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:5
New English Translation
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:5 tn Heb “is prudent” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV); NCV, NLT “is wise.” Anyone who accepts correction or rebuke will become prudent in life.
Proverbs 15:5
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 15:5
Amplified Bible
5
A [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instruction and correction,
But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense.
Proverbs 15:5
New International Version
Proverbs 15:5
New International Version
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(A)
Proverbs 15:7
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:7
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:7 tc The verb of the first colon, יְזָרוּ (yezaru, “they scatter”) is difficult because it does not fit the second very well—a heart does not “scatter” or “spread” knowledge. Symmachus’ Greek translation uses φυλάσσω (phulassō, “to guard, keep”) suggesting his text read יִצְּרוּ (yitseru) from נָצַר (natsar, “to guard, keep watch, comply with”). The LXX uses a form of δέω (deō, “to bind”). Although binding (often being bound as a prisoner) might be related to guarding, δέω does not otherwise represent נָצַר in the LXX. Still the editors of BHS and C. H. Toy (Proverbs [ICC], 305) suggest reading יִצְּרוּ (yitseru, “they guard”).
- Proverbs 15:7 tn The Hebrew לֹא־כֵן (loʾ khen) could be “not so” (HALOT 482 s.v. II כֵּן) or “not right, incorrect, wrong” (HALOT 482 s.v. I כֵּן), which is supported by the LXX: “hearts of fools are unstable.” If לֵב (lev, “heart, mind”) is understood to represent thinking, then, accepting the emendation in the first line, the proverb may say, “The lips of the wise preserve knowledge, but the thoughts of fools are incorrect.”sn The phrase “the heart of fools” emphasizes that fools do not comprehend knowledge. Cf. NCV “there is no knowledge in the thoughts of fools.”
Proverbs 15:7
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 15:7
Amplified Bible
7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];
But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.
Proverbs 15:7
New International Version
Proverbs 15:7
New International Version
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(A)
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
Proverbs 15:14
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:14
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:14 tn Or “heart.” The Hebrew term is לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”).
- Proverbs 15:14 tc The idea expressed in the second colon does not make a strong parallelism with the first with its emphasis on seeking knowledge. Its poetic image of feeding (a hypocatastasis) would signify the acquisition of folly—the fool has an appetite for it. D. W. Thomas suggests the change of one letter, ר (resh) to ד (dalet), to obtain a reading יִדְעֶה (yidʿeh); this he then connects to an Arabic root daʿa with the meaning “sought, demanded” to form what he thinks is a better parallel (“Textual and Philological Notes on Some Passages in the Book of Proverbs,” VTSup 3 [1955]: 285). But even though the parallelism is not as precise as some would prefer, there is insufficient warrant for such a change.
Proverbs 15:14
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 15:14
Amplified Bible
14
The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it,
But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.(A)
Proverbs 15:14
New International Version
Proverbs 15:14
New International Version
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(A)
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
Proverbs 16:22
New English Translation
Proverbs 16:22
New English Translation
22 Insight[a] is like[b] a life-giving fountain[c] to the one who possesses it,
but folly leads to the discipline of fools.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:22 tn The Hebrew noun שֵׂכֵל (sekhel, “prudence; insight”; cf. KJV, NASB, NIV “understanding”; NAB, CEV “good sense”) is related to the verb that means “to have insight; to give attention to; to act circumspectly [or, prudently],” as well as “to prosper; to have success.” These words all describe the kind of wise action that will be successful.
- Proverbs 16:22 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied for the sake of clarity.
- Proverbs 16:22 tn Heb “fountain of life.” The point of the metaphor is that like a fountain this wisdom will be a constant provision for living in this world.
- Proverbs 16:22 tn Heb “the discipline of fools [is] folly.” The “discipline” (מוּסָר, musar) in this proverb is essentially a requital for sin (hence “punishment,” so NIV, NCV, NRSV); discipline which is intended to correct is normally rejected and despised by fools. So the line is saying that there is very little that can be done for or with the fool (cf. NLT “discipline is wasted on fools”).
Proverbs 16:22
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 16:22
Amplified Bible
22
Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,
But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.
Proverbs 16:22
New International Version
Proverbs 16:22
New International Version
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(A)
but folly brings punishment to fools.
Proverbs 17:7
New English Translation
Proverbs 17:7
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:7 tn The word יֶתֶר (yeter) could be rendered either “arrogant” (cf. NIV) or “excellent” (cf. KJV, NASB; NLT “eloquent”) because the basic idea of the word is “remainder; excess,” from the verb “be left over.” It describes “lofty” speech (arrogant or excellent) that is not suited for the fool. The Greek version, using pista, seems to support the idea of “excellent,” and makes a contrast: “words that are excellent do not fit a fool.” The idea of arrogance (NIV) fits if it is taken in the sense of lofty, heightened, or excessive language.
- Proverbs 17:7 tn “a lip of excess.” The term “lip” is a metonymy for what is said.
- Proverbs 17:7 sn The “fool” proper, described by the term נָבָל (naval), occurs only here, in v. 21, and in 30:22 in the book. It describes someone who is godless and immoral in an overbearing way (e.g., 1 Sam 25:25; Ps 14:1). A fool should restrain his words lest his foolishness spew out.
- Proverbs 17:7 tn Heb “speech of falsehood”; NRSV “false speech.”
- Proverbs 17:7 sn This “ruler” (KJV, NASB “prince”; NAB “noble”) is a gentleman with a code of honor, to whom truthfulness is second nature (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 507). The word describes one as “inclined, generous, noble” (BDB 622 s.v. נָדִיב). It is cognate to the word for the “free will offering.” So for such a noble person lies are not suited. The argument is from the lesser to the greater—if fools shouldn’t speak lofty things, then honorable people should not lie (or, lofty people should not speak base things).
Proverbs 17:7
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 17:7
Amplified Bible
7
Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind],
Much less do lying lips benefit a prince.
Proverbs 17:7
New International Version
Proverbs 17:7
New International Version
7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(A)
Proverbs 17:10
New English Translation
Proverbs 17:10
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:10 tn Heb “goes in deeper” (cf. NASB, NRSV). The verb נָחֵת (nakhet) “to go down; to descend” with the preposition ב (bet) means “to descend into; to make an impression on” someone.
- Proverbs 17:10 tn The form is the Hiphil infinitive of נָכָה (nakhah) with the comparative מִן, min. The word “fool” then would be an objective genitive—more than blows to/on a fool.
Proverbs 17:10
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 17:10
Amplified Bible
10
A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit
Than a hundred lashes into a fool.(A)
Proverbs 17:10
New International Version
Proverbs 17:10
New International Version
10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
Proverbs 17:12
New English Translation
Proverbs 17:12
New English Translation
12 It is better for a person to meet[a] a mother bear being robbed of her cubs,
than[b] to encounter[c] a fool in his folly.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:12 tn Heb “Let a man meet” (so NASB); NLT “It is safer to meet.” The infinitive absolute פָּגוֹשׁ (pagosh, “to meet”) functions as a jussive of advice. The bear meeting a man is less dangerous than a fool in his folly. It could be worded as a “better” saying, but that formula is not found here.
- Proverbs 17:12 tn The second colon begins with וְאַל (veʾal), “and not.” This negative usually appears with volitives, so the fuller expression of the parallel line would be “and let not a fool in his folly [meet someone].”
- Proverbs 17:12 tn The words “to meet” are not in the Hebrew text, but are implied by the parallelism and are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
- Proverbs 17:12 sn The human, who is supposed to be rational and intelligent, in such folly becomes more dangerous than the beast that in this case acts with good reason. As R. L. Alden comments, “Consider meeting a fool with a knife, or gun, or even behind the wheel of a car” (Proverbs, 134). See also E. Loewenstamm, “Remarks on Proverbs 17:12 and 20:27, ” VT 37 (1967): 221-24. For a slightly different nuance cf. TEV “some fool busy with a stupid project.”
Proverbs 17:12
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 17:12
Amplified Bible
12
Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubs
Rather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly.(A)
Proverbs 17:12
New International Version
Proverbs 17:12
New International Version
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.(A)
New English Translation (NET)
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