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Proverbs 10:23
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:23
New English Translation
23 Carrying out a wicked scheme[a] is enjoyable[b] to a fool,
and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:23 tn Heb “doing a plan.” The noun זִמָּה (zimmah, “plan”) is often used pejoratively of a scheme to do wickedness. It is used elsewhere for planning lewdness, murder, incest, adultery, idolatry, and licentiousness. Any planned gross impropriety gives the fool pleasure. The verb עָשָׂה (ʿasah, “to do”) here means “to carry out (a plan)” (BDB 794 s.v.).
- Proverbs 10:23 tn Heb “like sport” (so NASB, NRSV). The noun שְׂחוֹק (sekhoq, “sport”) is used elsewhere to refer to what is exhilarating and pleasurable (BDB 966 s.v.). As W. G. Plaut says, it is like child’s play (Proverbs, 132). For the fool evil brings such enjoyment; for the discerning wisdom does.
- Proverbs 10:23 tn Heb “a man of discernment.”
Proverbs 10:23
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:23
English Standard Version
Proverbs 11:12
New English Translation
Proverbs 11:12
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:12 tn Heb “despises” (so NASB) or “belittles” (so NRSV). The participle בָּז (baz, from בּוּז, buz) means “to despise; to show contempt for” someone. It reflects an attitude of pride and judgmentalism. In view of the parallel line, in this situation it would reflect perhaps some public denunciation of another person.sn According to Proverbs (and the Bible as a whole) how one treats a neighbor is an important part of righteousness. One was expected to be a good neighbor, and to protect and safeguard the life and reputation of a neighbor.
- Proverbs 11:12 tn Heb “lacking of mind.” The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) refers by metonymy to what one does with the mind (i.e., thinking), and so refers to discernment, wisdom, good sense.
- Proverbs 11:12 tn Heb “a man of discernment.”
- Proverbs 11:12 sn The verb translated “keeps silence” (יַחֲרִישׁ, yakharish) means “holds his peace.” Rather than publicly denouncing another person’s mistake or folly, a wise person will keep quiet about it (e.g., 1 Sam 10:27). A discerning person realizes that the neighbor may become an opponent and someday retaliate.
Proverbs 11:12
English Standard Version
Proverbs 11:12
English Standard Version
12 Whoever (A)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 15:21
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:21
New English Translation
21 Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense,[a]
but one who has understanding[b] follows an upright course.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:21 tn Heb “lacking of mind.” The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) refers by metonymy to thinking, and by extension to discernment, wisdom, good sense (cf. NIV “judgment”). The one who has not developed this ability to make proper choices finds great delight in folly.
- Proverbs 15:21 tn Heb “a man of understanding” (so KJV, NIV); NLT “a sensible person.”
- Proverbs 15:21 tn The Hebrew construction is יְיַשֶּׁר־לָכֶת (yeyasher lakhet, “makes straight [to] go”). This is a verbal hendiadys, in which the first verb, the Piel imperfect, becomes adverbial, and the second form, the infinitive construct of הָלַךְ, halakh, becomes the main verb: “goes straight ahead” (cf. NRSV).
Proverbs 15:21
English Standard Version
Proverbs 15:21
English Standard Version
Proverbs 17:27
New English Translation
Proverbs 17:27
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:27 tn Heb “the one knowing knowledge.” The cognate accusative underscores the meaning of the participle—this is a truly knowledgeable person.
- Proverbs 17:27 sn The participle חוֹשֵׂךְ (khosekh) means “withholds; restrains; refrains; spares; holds in check,” etc. One who has knowledge speaks carefully.
- Proverbs 17:27 tn Heb “cool of spirit.” This genitive of specification describes one who is “calm” (so NCV, TEV, CEV) or “even-tempered” (so NIV, NLT); he is composed.
Proverbs 17:27
English Standard Version
Proverbs 17:27
English Standard Version
27 Whoever (A)restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
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
English Standard Version
Proverbs 20:5
English Standard Version
5 The purpose in a man's heart is like (A)deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
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.