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14 When there is no guidance[a] a nation falls,
but there is success[b] in the abundance of counselors.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:14 tn The word תַּחְבֻּלוֹת (takhbulot, “guidance; direction”) is derived from the root I חָבַל (khaval, “rope-pulling” and “steering” or “directing” a ship; BDB 286 s.v.). Thus spiritual guidance is like steering a ship, here the ship of state (R. N. Whybray, Proverbs [CBC], 68; Prov 1:5). Advice is necessary for the success of a nation.
  2. Proverbs 11:14 tn Heb “victory.” This term תְּשׁוּעָה (teshuʿah) means “salvation” or “victory” (BDB 448 s.v.); cf. NAB, TEV “security”; NRSV, NLT “safety.” Here, it connotes “success” as the antithesis of the nation falling. The setting could be one of battle or economics. Victory or success will be more likely with good advice. This assumes that the counselors are wise.

14 Where there is no (A)guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is salvation.

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22 Plans fail[a] when there is no counsel,
but with abundant advisers they are established.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:22 tn Heb “go wrong” (so NRSV, NLT). The verb is the Hiphil infinitive absolute from פָּרַר, parar, which means “to break; to frustrate; to go wrong” (HALOT 975 s.v. I פרר 2). The plans are made ineffectual or are frustrated when there is insufficient counsel.
  2. Proverbs 15:22 sn The proverb says essentially the same thing as 11:14, but differently.

22 Without consultation, [a]plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they [b]succeed.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:22 Lit thoughts
  2. Proverbs 15:22 Or are established

18 Plans[a] are established by counsel,
so[b] make war[c] with guidance.

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Footnotes

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

18 [a](A)Thoughts are established by counsel,
So (B)make war by guidance.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:18 Or Plans

A wise warrior[a] is strong,[b]
and a man of knowledge makes his strength stronger;
for with guidance you wage your war,
and with numerous advisers there is victory.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:5 sn The twenty-first saying seems to be concerned with the need for wisdom in warfare. In line with that, the word used here is גֶּבֶר (gever), “mighty man; hero; warrior.”
  2. Proverbs 24:5 tn The expression בַּעוֹז (baʿoz) employs a beth essentiae, meaning he “is strong,” not “in strength.”
  3. Proverbs 24:6 sn The point of the saying is that wise counsel is necessary in war. Victory, strategy, and counsel are more important than mere military strength—many great armies have been destroyed because of their unwise leaders. See on this theme 11:14; 20:18; 21:22.

A (A)wise man is [a]strong,
And a man of knowledge strengthens his power.
For (B)by guidance you will make war,
And (C)in abundance of counselors there is salvation.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:5 Lit in strength

Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice,[a]
likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:9 sn The first line of the proverb provides the emblem to the parallel point. The emblem is the joy that anointing oil (ointment) and incense bring, and the point is the value of the advice of a friend.
  2. Proverbs 27:9 tn Some think the MT is unintelligible as it stands: “The sweetness of his friend from the counsel of the soul.” The Latin version has “the soul is sweetened by the good counsels of a friend.” D. W. Thomas suggests, “counsels of a friend make sweet the soul” (“Notes on Some Passages in the Book of Proverbs,” VT 15 [1965]: 275). G. R. Driver suggests, “the counsel of a friend is sweeter than one’s own advice” (literally, “more than the counsel of the soul”). He also suggests “more than of fragrant wood.” See G. R. Driver, “Hebrew Notes,” ZAW 52 (1934): 54; idem, “Suggestions and Objections,” ZAW 55 (1937): 69-70. The LXX reads “and the soul is rent by misfortunes.” The MT, for want of better or more convincing readings, may be interpreted to mean something like “[Just as] ointment and incense brings joy to the heart, [so] the sweetness of one’s friend [comes] from his sincere counsel.”

(A)Oil and incense make the heart glad,
So counsel from the [a]soul is sweet to his friend.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:9 Lit soul’s counsel