14 Where there is (A)no guidance, a people falls,
    (B)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

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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.

22 (A)Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.

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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.

(A)A wise man is full of strength,
    and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
for by (B)wise guidance you can wage your war,
    and in (C)abundance of counselors there is victory.

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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.