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Proverbs 10:11
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:11
English Standard Version
11 (A)The mouth of the righteous is (B)a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked (C)conceals violence.
Proverbs 10:11
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:11
New English Translation
11 The speech[a] of the righteous is a fountain of life,[b]
but the speech[c] of the wicked conceals[d] violence.[e]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “mouth.” The word “mouth” is metonymy of cause, representing what the righteous say and teach.
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “a fountain of life is the mouth of the righteous” (NAB similar). The subject (“a fountain of life”) and the predicate (“the mouth of the righteous”) in the Hebrew text are reversed in the present translation (as in most English versions) for the sake of clarity and smoothness. The idea of this metaphor, “the fountain of life,” may come from Ps 36:9 (e.g., also Prov 13:14; 14:27; 16:22). What the righteous say is beneficial to life or life-giving. Their words are life-giving but the words of the wicked are violent. See R. B. Y. Scott, “Wise and Foolish, Righteous and Wicked,” VT 29 (1972): 145-65.
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “the mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech.
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “covers.” Behind the speech of the wicked is aggressive violence (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 422).
- Proverbs 10:11 tn The syntax of this line is ambiguous. The translation takes “the mouth of the wicked” as the nominative subject and “violence” as the accusative direct object; however, the subject might be “violence,” hence: “violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”
Proverbs 10:13
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:13
English Standard Version
13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but (A)a rod is for the back of him who (B)lacks sense.
Proverbs 10:13
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:13
New English Translation
13 Wisdom is found in the words[a] of the discerning person,[b]
but the one who lacks sense[c] will be disciplined.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:13 tn Heb “on the lips” (so NAB, NASB, NRSV). The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause for the words spoken by the lips.
- Proverbs 10:13 tn Heb “the one who is discerning.” The term “discerning” describes someone who is critically perceptive and has understanding. He can be relied on to say things that are wise.
- Proverbs 10:13 tn Heb “the one lacking of mind.” The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) is used as a metonymy of association for what one does with the mind (i.e., thinking), and so refers to discernment, wisdom, good sense.
- Proverbs 10:13 tn Heb “a rod is for the back of the one lacking heart.” The term שֵׁבֶט (shevet, “rod”) functions figuratively: synecdoche of specific (= rod of discipline) for general (= discipline in general). The term גֵּו (gev, “back”) is a synecdoche of part (= back) for the whole (= person as a whole). The back is emphasized because it was the object of physical corporeal discipline. This proverb is not limited in its application to physical corporeal punishment because the consequences of foolishness may come in many forms, physical corporeal discipline being only one form.
Proverbs 10:14
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:14
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:14
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:14
New English Translation
14 Those who are wise[a] store up[b] knowledge,
but foolish speech[c] leads to imminent[d] destruction.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:14 tn Heb “wise men.”
- Proverbs 10:14 sn The verb צָפַן (tsafan, “to store up; to treasure”) may mean (1) the wise acquire and do not lose wisdom (cf. NAB, NIV, TEV), or (2) they do not tell all that they know (cf. NCV), that is, they treasure it up for a time when they will need it. The fool, by contrast, talks without thinking.
- Proverbs 10:14 tn Heb “the mouth of foolishness”; cf. NRSV, NLT “the babbling of a fool.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech. The genitive אֶוִיל (ʾevil, “foolishness”) functions as an attributive adjective: “a foolish mouth” = foolish speech.
- Proverbs 10:14 tn Heb “near destruction.” The words of the fool that are uttered without wise forethought may invite imminent ruin (e.g., James 3:13-18). See also Ptah-hotep and Amenemope in ANET 414 and 423.
Proverbs 10:20-21
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:20-21
English Standard Version
20 The tongue of the righteous is (A)choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for (B)lack of sense.
Proverbs 10:20-21
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:20-21
New English Translation
20 What the righteous say[a] is like[b] the best[c] silver,
but what the wicked think[d] is of little value.[e]
21 The teaching[f] of the righteous feeds[g] many,
but fools die[h] for lack of sense.[i]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:20 tn Heb “the lips of the righteous.” The term “lips” functions as a metonymy of cause for speech. This contrasts the tongue (metonymy of cause for what they say) with the heart (metonymy of subject for what they intend). What the righteous say is more valuable than what the wicked intend.
- Proverbs 10:20 tn The comparative “like” is not in the Hebrew text but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
- Proverbs 10:20 tn Or “pure”; Heb “choice.”
- Proverbs 10:20 tn Heb “the heart of the wicked” (so KJV, NAB, NIV). The term “heart” functions as a metonymy of cause for thoughts. The term לֵב (lev, “heart”) often refers to the seat of thoughts, will and emotions (BDB 524 s.v. 3-4).
- Proverbs 10:20 tn Heb “like little.” This expression refers to what has little value: “little worth” (so KJV, NAB, NRSV; cf. BDB 590 s.v. מְעַט 2.d). The point of the metaphor is clarified by the parallelism: Silver is valuable; the heart of the wicked is worth little. Tg. Prov 10:20 says it was full of dross, a contrast with choice silver.
- Proverbs 10:21 tn Heb “lips.” The term “lips” functions as a metonymy of cause for what is said (or in this case taught).
- Proverbs 10:21 tn The verb רָעָה (raʿah) means “to feed” or “to shepherd” (e.g., Gen 48:15). What they say will meet the needs of many.
- Proverbs 10:21 tn In what sense the fool “dies” is unclear. Fools ruin their lives and the lives of others by their lack of discipline and knowledge. The contrast is between enhancing life and ruining life.
- Proverbs 10:21 tn The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) is used as a metonymy of association for what one does with the mind (i.e., thinking), and so refers to discernment, wisdom, good sense.
Proverbs 10:31-32
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:31-32
English Standard Version
31 (A)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous (B)know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, (C)what is perverse.
Proverbs 10:31-32
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:31-32
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]
32 The lips of the righteous know[e] what is pleasing,[f]
but the speech[g] of the wicked is perverse.
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 10:32 sn The verb “know” applied to “lips” is unusual. “Lips” is a metonymy for what the righteous say; and their words “know” (a personification) what is pleasing, i.e., they are acquainted with.
- Proverbs 10:32 sn The righteous say what is pleasing, acceptable, or delightful, but the wicked say perverse and destructive things.
- Proverbs 10:32 tn Heb “lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause for what is said.
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.
New English Translation (NET)
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