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The words of the wicked are an ambush of blood,
    but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

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The words of the wicked lie in wait[a] to shed innocent blood,[b]
but the words[c] of the upright will deliver them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:6 tn Heb “are to ambush blood.” The infinitive construct אֱרָב (ʾerov, “to lie in wait”) expresses the purpose of their conversations. The proverb either compares their words to an ambush (cf. NAB, NRSV “are a deadly ambush”) or states what the content of their words is about.
  2. Proverbs 12:6 tn Heb “for blood.” The term “blood” is a metonymy of effect, the cause being the person that they will attack and whose blood they will shed. After the construct “blood” is also an objective genitive.
  3. Proverbs 12:6 tn Heb “mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) is a metonymy of cause, signifying what the righteous say. The righteous can make a skillful defense against false accusations that are intended to destroy. The righteous, who have gained wisdom, can escape the traps set by the words of the wicked.

13 By the transgression of lips, evil is ensnared,
    but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of the mouth of a man, he is filled with good,
    and the reward of a man’s labor[a] will return to him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:14 Literally “the hands of a man”

13 The evil person is ensnared[a] by the transgression of his speech,[b]
but the righteous person escapes out of trouble.[c]
14 A person will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words,[d]
and the work of his hands[e] will be rendered to[f] him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:13 tc MT reads the noun מוֹקֵשׁ (moqesh, “bait; lure”). The LXX, Syriac and Tg. Prov 12:13 took it as a passive participle (“is ensnared”). The MT is the more difficult reading and so is preferred. The versions appear to be trying to clarify a difficult reading. tn Heb “snare of a man.” The word “snare” is the figurative meaning of the noun מוֹקֵשׁ (“bait; lure” from יָקַשׁ [yaqash, “to lay a bait, or lure”]).
  2. Proverbs 12:13 tn Heb “transgression of the lips.” The noun “lips” is a genitive of specification and it functions as a metonymy of cause for speech: sinful talk or sinning by talking. J. H. Greenstone suggests that this refers to litigation; the wicked attempt to involve the innocent (Proverbs, 131).
  3. Proverbs 12:13 sn J. H. Greenstone suggests that when the wicked become involved in contradictions of testimony, the innocent is freed from the trouble. Another meaning would be that the wicked get themselves trapped by what they say, but the righteous avoid that (Proverbs, 131).
  4. Proverbs 12:14 tn Heb “fruit of the lips.” The term “fruit” is the implied comparison, meaning what is produced; and “lips” is the metonymy of cause, referring to speech. Proper speech will result in good things.
  5. Proverbs 12:14 tn Heb “the work of the hands of a man.”
  6. Proverbs 12:14 tc The Kethib has the Qal imperfect, “will return” to him (cf. NASB); the Qere preserves a Hiphil imperfect, “he/one will restore/render” to him (cf. KJV, ASV). The Qere seems to suggest that someone (God or people) will reward him in kind. Since there is no expressed subject, it may be translated as a passive voice.

18 There is one who speaks rashly, like the thrust of a sword,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

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18 Speaking recklessly[a] is like the thrusts of a sword,
but the words[b] of the wise bring[c] healing.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:18 tn The term בּוֹטֶה (boteh) means “to speak rashly [or, thoughtlessly]” (e.g., Lev 5:4; Num 30:7).
  2. Proverbs 12:18 tn Heb “the tongue” (so NAB, NIV, NRSV). The term לָשׁוֹן (lashon, “tongue”) functions as a metonymy of cause for what is said.
  3. Proverbs 12:18 tn Heb “[is] healing.” The term “brings” is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity and smoothness.
  4. Proverbs 12:18 sn Healing is a metonymy of effect. Healing words are the opposite of the cutting, irresponsible words. What the wise say is faithful and true, gentle and kind, uplifting and encouraging; so their words bring healing.

25 Anxiety in the heart[a] of a man will weigh him down,
    but a good word will cheer him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:25 Or “mind”

25 Anxiety[a] in a person’s heart weighs him down,[b]
but an encouraging[c] word brings him joy.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:25 tn The word “anxiety” (דְּאָגָה, deʾagah) combines anxiety and fear—anxious fear (e.g., Jer 49:23; Ezek 4:16; for the related verb see Ps 38:18; Jer 17:8).
  2. Proverbs 12:25 tn Heb “bows it [= his heart] down.” Anxiety weighs heavily on the heart, causing depression. The spirit is brought low.
  3. Proverbs 12:25 tn Heb “good.” The Hebrew word “good” (טוֹב, tov) refers to what is beneficial for life, promotes life, creates life or protects life. The “good word” here would include encouragement, kindness, and insight—the person needs to regain the proper perspective on life and renew his confidence.
  4. Proverbs 12:25 tn Heb “makes it [= his heart] glad.” The similarly sounding terms יַשְׁחֶנָּה (yashkhennah, “weighs it down”) and יְשַׂמְּחֶנָּה (yesammekhennah, “makes it glad”) create a wordplay (paronomasia) that dramatically emphasizes the polar opposite emotional states: depression versus joy.