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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
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 15:14
Lexham English Bible
14 The heart of him who understands will seek knowledge,
but the faces of fools, they[a] will feed on folly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:14 Hebrew “he/it”
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 15:31-33
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:31-33
New English Translation
31 The person[a] who hears the reproof that leads to life[b]
is at home[c] among the wise.[d]
32 The one who refuses correction despises himself,[e]
but whoever listens to[f] reproof acquires understanding.[g]
33 The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction,[h]
and before honor comes humility.[i]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:31 tn Heb “ear” (so KJV, NRSV). The term “ear” is a synecdoche of part (= ear) for the whole (= person).
- Proverbs 15:31 tn “Life” is an objective genitive: Reproof brings or preserves life. Cf. NIV “life-giving rebuke”; NLT “constructive criticism.”
- Proverbs 15:31 tn Heb “lodges.” This means to live with, to be at home with.
- Proverbs 15:31 sn The proverb is one full sentence; it affirms that a teachable person is among the wise.
- Proverbs 15:32 sn To “despise oneself” means to reject oneself as if there was little value. The one who ignores discipline is not interested in improving himself.
- Proverbs 15:32 tn The nuances of שָׁמַע (shamaʿ) include hearing and obeying or carrying out what was said. Cf. “heeds” so NAB, NIV, NKJV, NRSV.
- Proverbs 15:32 tn The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) is used as a metonymy of association for what one does with the mind (thinking), and so refers to discernment, wisdom, good sense.
- Proverbs 15:33 tn Heb “[is] instruction of wisdom” (KJV and NASB similar). The noun translated “wisdom” is an attributive genitive: “wise instruction.”sn The idea of the first line is similar to Prov 1:7 and 9:10. Here it may mean that the fear of the Lord results from the discipline of wisdom, just as easily as it may mean that the fear of the Lord leads to the discipline of wisdom. The second reading harmonizes with the theme in the book that the fear of the Lord is the starting point.
- Proverbs 15:33 tn Heb “[is] humility” (so KJV). The second clause is a parallel idea in that it stresses how one thing leads to another—humility to honor. Humble submission in faith to the Lord brings wisdom and honor.
Proverbs 15:31-33
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 15:31-33
Lexham English Bible
31 The ear of him who listens to admonitions of life,
in the midst of the wise it will lodge.
32 He who ignores instruction despises himself,[a]
but he who hears admonition gains heart.[b]
33 Fear of Yahweh is the instruction of the wise,
and before honor comes humility.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:32 Or “soul,” or “inner self”
- Proverbs 15:32 Or “mind”
Proverbs 15:31-33
New International Version
Proverbs 15:31-33
New International Version
Proverbs 16:16
New English Translation
Proverbs 16:16
New English Translation
16 How much better it is to acquire[a] wisdom than gold;
to acquire understanding is more desirable[b] than silver.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:16 tn The form קְנֹה (qenoh) is an infinitive; the Greek version apparently took it as a participle, and the Latin as an imperative—both working with an unpointed קנה, the letter ה (he) being unexpected in the form if it is an infinitive construct (the parallel clause has קְנוֹת [qenot] for the infinitive, but the ancient versions also translate that as either a participle or an imperative).
- Proverbs 16:16 tn The form is a Niphal participle, masculine singular. If it is modifying “understanding” it should be a feminine form. If it is to be translated, it would have to be rendered “and to acquire understanding is to be chosen more than silver” (cf. KJV, ASV, NASB). Many commentaries consider it superfluous. NIV and NCV simply have “to choose understanding rather than silver!”
Proverbs 16:16
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 16:16
Lexham English Bible
16 Getting wisdom: how much[a] better than gold!
And getting understanding: it is chosen over[b] silver.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:16 Literally “what”
- Proverbs 16:16 Literally “from”
Proverbs 16:16
New International Version
Proverbs 16:16
New International Version
Proverbs 16:21
New English Translation
Proverbs 16:21
New English Translation
21 The one who is wise in heart[a] is called[b] discerning,
and kind speech[c] increases persuasiveness.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:21 tn Heb “wise of heart” (so NRSV).
- Proverbs 16:21 tn Heb “to the wise of heart it will be called discerning.” This means that the wise of heart, those who make wise decisions (“heart” being the metonymy), will gain a reputation of being the discerning ones.
- Proverbs 16:21 tn Heb “sweetness of lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause, meaning what is said. It is a genitive of specification. The idea of “sweetness” must be gracious and friendly words. The teaching will be well-received because it is both delightful and persuasive (cf. NIV “pleasant words promote instruction”).
- Proverbs 16:21 tn Heb “teaching” or “receptivity”; KJV “learning”; NIV “instruction.”
Proverbs 16:21
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 16:21
Lexham English Bible
21 The wise of heart[a] is called perceptive,
but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:21 Or “mind”
Proverbs 16:21
New International Version
Proverbs 16:21
New International Version
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
Proverbs 17:24
New English Translation
Proverbs 17:24
New English Translation
24 Wisdom is directly in front of[a] the discerning person,
but the eyes of a fool run[b] to the ends of the earth.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:24 tn The verse begins with אֶת־פְּנֵי מֵבִין (ʾet pene mevin), “before the discerning” or “the face of the discerning.” The particle אֶת here is simply drawing emphasis to the predicate (IBHS 182-83 §10.3.2b). Cf. NIV “A discerning man keeps wisdom in view.”
- Proverbs 17:24 tn The term “run” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied for the sake of clarification.
- Proverbs 17:24 sn To say that “the eyes of the fool run to the ends of the earth” means that he has no power to concentrate and cannot focus his attention on anything. The language is hyperbolic. Cf. NCV “the mind of a fool wanders everywhere.”
Proverbs 17:24
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 17:24
Lexham English Bible
24 He who understands sets his face toward wisdom,
but the eyes of a fool, to the end of the earth.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:24 Or “land”
Proverbs 17:24
New International Version
Proverbs 17:24
New International Version
24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes(A) wander to the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 18:15
New English Translation
Proverbs 18:15
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:15 tn Heb “discerning mind.” The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) is a synecdoche of part (= heart/mind) for the whole (= person); cf. TEV, NLT “intelligent people.” Placing “heart” and “ear” in parallel encompasses more of the process of acquiring knowledge. The ear listens for and to instruction, and the mind considers what is heard to acquire knowledge.
- Proverbs 18:15 tn Heb “the ear of the wise.” The term “ear” is a synecdoche of part (= ear) for the whole (= person): “wise person.” sn The wise continually seek more knowledge. D. Kidner says, “Those who know most know best how little they know” (Proverbs [TOTC], 129).
- Proverbs 18:15 sn This line features a mixed metaphor: The “ear” is pictured “seeking.” The wise person is listening for (on the lookout for) things worth listening to in the pursuit of knowledge.
Proverbs 18:15
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 18:15
Lexham English Bible
15 An intelligent mind[a] will acquire knowledge,
and the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:15 Literally “heart”
Proverbs 18:15
New International Version
Proverbs 18:15
New International Version
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(A)
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
Proverbs 19:20
New English Translation
Proverbs 19:20
New English Translation
20 Listen to advice[a] and receive discipline,
that[b] you may become wise[c] by the end of your life.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:20 sn The advice refers in all probability to the teachings of the sages that will make one wise.
- Proverbs 19:20 tn The proverb is one continuous thought, but the second half of the verse provides the purpose for the imperatives of the first half.
- Proverbs 19:20 tn The imperfect tense has the nuance of a final imperfect in a purpose clause, and so is translated “that you may become wise” (cf. NAB, NRSV).
- Proverbs 19:20 tn Heb “become wise in your latter end” (cf. KJV, ASV) which could obviously be misunderstood.
Proverbs 19:20
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 19:20
Lexham English Bible
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction
so that you will gain wisdom for your future.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:20 Literally “after things”
Proverbs 19:20
New International Version
Proverbs 19:20
New International Version
Proverbs 20:5
New English Translation
Proverbs 20:5
New English Translation
5 Counsel[a] in a person’s heart[b] is like[c] deep water,[d]
but an understanding person[e] draws it out.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:5 sn The noun means “advice, counsel”; it can have the connotation of planning or making decisions. Those with understanding can sort out plans.
- Proverbs 20:5 tn The Hebrew term לֶב (lev) refers to the “mind” (NRSV) as well as the “heart” (KJV, NIV, NASB). The expression refers to unspoken thoughts.
- Proverbs 20:5 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 20:5 sn The motives or plans of a person are “difficult to fathom”; it takes someone with understanding to discover and surface them (the verb in the last colon continues the figure with the sense of bringing the plans to the surface and sorting them out).
- Proverbs 20:5 tn Heb “a man of understanding”; TEV “someone with insight”; NLT “the wise.”
Proverbs 20:5
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 20:5
Lexham English Bible
5 Deep waters are like purpose in the heart[a] of a man,
and a man of understanding will draw it[b] out.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:5 Or “mind”
- Proverbs 20:5 Or “her”; referring to “purpose”
Proverbs 20:5
New International Version
Proverbs 20:5
New International Version
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(A)
but one who has insight draws them out.
Proverbs 20:18
New English Translation
Proverbs 20:18
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:18 tn The noun form is plural, but the verb is singular, suggesting either an abstract plural or a collective plural is being used here.
- Proverbs 20:18 tn The clause begins with vav (ו) on “with guidance.” But the clause has an imperative for its main verb. One could take the imperfect tense in the first colon as an imperfect of injunction, and then this clause would be also instructional. But the imperfect tense is a Niphal, and so it is better to take the first colon as the foundational clause and the second colon as the consequence (cf. NAB): If that is true, then you should do this.
- Proverbs 20:18 sn There have been attempts by various commentators to take “war” figuratively to mean life’s struggles, litigation, or evil inclinations. But there is no need and little justification for such interpretations. The proverb simply describes the necessity of taking counsel before going to war.
Proverbs 20:18
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 20:18
Lexham English Bible
18 A plan[a] will be established by advice,
and with guidance make war.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:18 Hebrew “plans”
Proverbs 20:18
New International Version
Proverbs 20:18
New International Version
18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(A)
New English Translation (NET)
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