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Proverbs 1:5
New English Translation
Proverbs 1:5
New English Translation
5 (Let the wise also[a] hear[b] and gain[c] instruction,
and let the discerning[d] acquire guidance![e])
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:5 tn The term “also” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation since the audience has shifted from the young and inexperienced to those already having some wisdom. As such v. 5 functions as a parenthesis in the purpose statements of 1:1-7. The book is not just for beginners; even the wise can become wiser.
- Proverbs 1:5 tn The verb יִשְׁמַע (yishmaʿ) functions as a jussive (rather than a imperfect, “he will hear”) as supported in conjunction with the following jussive וְיוֹסֶף (veyosef, “Let him add” or “so that he may add”).
- Proverbs 1:5 tn Heb “add.” Or “increase” in insight. The Hiphil verb וְיוֹסֶף (veyosef) is a jussive rather than an imperfect as the final short vowel (segol) and accent on the first syllable shows (BDB 415 s.v. יָסַף Hiph).
- Proverbs 1:5 tn The Niphal substantival participle נָבוֹן (navon, “discerning”), rather than the noun, is used to describe a person who is habitually characterized by discernment. 1:5 forms a striking contrast to 1:4—there was the simpleton and the youth, here the wise and discerning. Both need this book.
- Proverbs 1:5 tn The noun תַּחְבֻּלָה (takhbulah, “direction; counsel”) refers to moral guidance (BDB 287 s.v.). It is related to חֹבֵל (khovel, “sailor”), חִבֵּל (khibbel, “mast”) and חֶבֶל (khevel, “rope; cord”), so BDB suggests it originally meant directing a ship by pulling ropes on the mast. It is used in a concrete sense of God directing the path of clouds (Job 37:12) and in a figurative sense of moral guidance (Prov 11:14; 20:18; 24:6). Here it refers to the ability to steer a right course through life (A. Cohen, Proverbs, 2).
Proverbs 1:5
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 1:5
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
5 let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning
and the discerning acquire skill,(A)
Proverbs 3:35
New English Translation
Proverbs 3:35
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:35 tc MT reads מֵרִים (merim, “he lifts up”): singular Hiphil participle of רוּם (rum, “to rise; to exalt”), functioning verbally with the Lord as the implied subject: “but he lifts up fools to shame.” The LXX and Vulgate reflect the plural מְרִימִים (merimim, “they exalt”) with “fools” (כְּסִילִים, kesilim) as the explicit subject: “but fools exalt shame.” The textual variant was caused by haplography or dittography of ים (yod and mem), depending on whether MT or the alternate tradition is original.
- Proverbs 3:35 tn The noun קָלוֹן (qalon, “ignominy; dishonor; contempt”) is from קָלָה (qalah) which is an alternate form of קָלַל (qalal) which means (1) “to treat something lightly,” (2) “to treat with contempt [or, with little esteem]” or (3) “to curse.” The noun refers to personal disgrace or shame. While the wise will inherit honor, fools will be made a public display of dishonor. God lets fools entangle themselves in their folly in a way for all to see.
Proverbs 3:35
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 3:35
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
35 The wise will inherit honor,
but stubborn fools, disgrace.
Proverbs 9:8-9
New English Translation
Proverbs 9:8-9
New English Translation
8 Do not reprove[a] a mocker or[b] he will hate you;
reprove a wise person and he will love you.
9 Give instruction[c] to a wise person,[d] and he will become wiser still;
teach[e] a righteous person and he will add to his[f] learning.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:8 tn In view of the expected response for reproof, the text now uses a negated jussive to advise against the attempt. This is paralleled antithetically by the imperative in the second colon. This imperative is in an understood conditional clause: “if you reprove a wise person.”
- Proverbs 9:8 tn Heb “lest he hate you.” The particle פֶּן (pen, “lest”) expresses fear or precaution (R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 79, §476). The antonyms “love” and “hate” suggest that the latter means “reject” and the former means “choosing and embracing.”
- Proverbs 9:9 tn Heb “Give to the wise.” The object, “instruction” (or possibly rebuke), is implied. Most translations either supply the object (NIV, NLT, Holman) or change the verb to “instruct” (NASB, ESV, NKJV, NRSV).
- Proverbs 9:9 sn The parallelism shows what Proverbs will repeatedly stress, that the wise person is the righteous person.
- Proverbs 9:9 tn The Hiphil verb normally means “to cause to know, make known,” but here the context suggests “to teach” (so many English versions).
- Proverbs 9:9 tn The term “his” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied for the sake of smoothness and clarity.
Proverbs 9:8-9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 9:8-9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
8 Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;
rebuke the wise, and he will love you.(A)
9 Give instruction[a] to the wise, and they will become wiser still;
teach the righteous, and they will gain in learning.(B)
Footnotes
- 9.9 Heb lacks instruction
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 10:14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 10:14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
14 The wise lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
Proverbs 11:29
New English Translation
Proverbs 11:29
New English Translation
29 The one who troubles[a] his family[b] will inherit nothing,[c]
and the fool[d] will be a servant to the wise person.[e]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:29 tn The verb עָכַר (ʿakhar, “to trouble”) refers to actions which make life difficult for one’s family (BDB 747 s.v.). He will be cut out of the family inheritance.
- Proverbs 11:29 tn Heb “his house.” The term בֵּית (bet, “house”) is a synecdoche of container (= house) for its contents (= family, household).
- Proverbs 11:29 tn Heb “the wind” (so KJV, NCV, NLT); NAB “empty air.” The word “wind” (רוּחַ, ruakh) refers to what cannot be grasped (Prov 27:16; Eccl 1:14, 17). The figure is a hypocatastasis, comparing wind to what he inherits—nothing he can put his hands on. Cf. CEV “won’t inherit a thing.”
- Proverbs 11:29 sn The “fool” here is the “troubler” of the first half. One who mismanages his affairs so badly so that there is nothing for the family may have to sell himself into slavery to the wise. The ideas of the two halves of the verse are complementary.
- Proverbs 11:29 tn Heb “the wise of mind.” The noun לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) functions as a genitive of specification: “wise in the mind” or “wise-minded.” Cf. “wisehearted” NASB; “wise of heart” ESV, NKJV. The term לֵב represents the person in this case (a synecdoche of part for the whole) because it is the seat of thinking and wisdom; see BDB 525 s.v. 7.
Proverbs 11:29
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 11:29
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
29 Those who trouble their households will inherit wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.
Proverbs 14:3
New English Translation
Proverbs 14:3
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:3 tn The preposition ב (bet) may denote (1) exchange: “in exchange for” foolish talk there is a rod; or (2) cause: “because of” foolish talk.
- Proverbs 14:3 sn The noun פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for what is said (“speech, words, talk”).
- Proverbs 14:3 tc The MT reads גַּאֲוָה (gaʾavah, “pride”) which creates an awkward sense “in the mouth of a fool is a rod/shoot of pride” (cf. KJV, ASV), perhaps meaning that pride sprouts from his mouth. The BHS editors suggest emending the form to גֵּוֹה (gevoh, “disciplining-rod”) to create tighter parallelism and irony: “in the mouth of a fool is a rod for the back” (e.g., Prov 10:13). What the fool says will bring discipline.tn Heb “a rod of back.” The noun גֵּוֹה functions as a genitive of specification: “a rod for his back.” The fool is punished because of what he says.
- Proverbs 14:3 tn Heb “lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause, meaning what they say. The wise by their speech will find protection.
Proverbs 14:3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 14:3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
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Footnotes
- 14.3 Cn: Heb a rod of pride
Proverbs 14:16
New English Translation
Proverbs 14:16
New English Translation
16 A wise person is cautious[a] and turns from evil,
but a fool throws off restraint[b] and is overconfident.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:16 tn Heb “fears.” Since the holy name (Yahweh, translated “the Lord”) is not used, it probably does not here mean fear of the Lord, but of the consequences of actions.
- Proverbs 14:16 tn The Hitpael of עָבַר (ʿavar, “to pass over”) means “to pass over the bounds of propriety; to act insolently” (BDB 720 s.v.; cf. ASV “beareth himself insolently”).
- Proverbs 14:16 tn The verb בָּטַח here denotes self-assurance or overconfidence. Fools are not cautious and do not fear the consequences of their actions.
Proverbs 14:16
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 14:16
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
16 The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.(A)
Proverbs 14:24
New English Translation
Proverbs 14:24
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:24 tc The LXX reads πανοῦργος (panourgos, “crafty”) which suggests deleting the שׁ (shin) from עָשְׁרָם (ʿoshram, “their riches”) and reading a noun or adj. derived from the verb עָרֹם (ʿarom, “be crafty). If the first case of “folly” in the second half is also emended, the proverb would read “The crown of the wise is their craftiness, but the garland of fools is folly.”sn C. H. Toy suggests that this line probably means that wealth is an ornament to those who use it well (Proverbs [ICC], 269). J. H. Greenstone suggests that it means that the wisdom of the wise, which is their crown of glory, constitutes their wealth (Proverbs, 155).
- Proverbs 14:24 tc The MT reads אִוֶלֶת (ʾivelet, “folly”). The editors of BHS propose emending the text to וְלִוְיַת (velivyat) from לִוְיָה (livyah, “wreath, garland”). This would provide the same parallelism (“garland” and “crown”) as Prov 4:9. The LXX reads διατριβὴ (diatribē, “lifestyle”). See M. Rotenberg, “The Meaning of אִוֶּלֶת in Proverbs,” LesŒ 25 (1960-1961): 201. A similar emendation is followed by NAB (“the diadem”) and NRSV (“the garland”).
Proverbs 14:24
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 14:24
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but folly is the garland[a] of fools.
Footnotes
- 14.24 Cn: Heb is the folly
Proverbs 15:2
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:2
New English Translation
2 The tongue of the wise[a] treats knowledge correctly,[b]
but the mouth of the fool spouts out[c] folly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:2 sn The contrast is between the “tongue of the wise” and the “mouth of the fool.” Both expressions are metonymies of cause; the subject matter is what they say. How wise people are can be determined from what they say.
- Proverbs 15:2 tn Or “makes knowledge acceptable” (so NASB). The verb תֵּיטִיב (tetiv, Hiphil imperfect of יָטַב [yatav, “to be good”]) can be translated “to make good” or “to treat in a good [or, excellent] way” (C. H. Toy, Proverbs [ICC], 303). M. Dahood, however, suggests emending the text to תֵּיטִיף (tetif) which is a cognate of נָטַף (nataf, “drip”), and translates “tongues of the sages drip with knowledge” (Proverbs and Northwest Semitic Philology, 32-33). But this change is gratuitous and unnecessary.
- Proverbs 15:2 sn The Hiphil verb יַבִּיעַ (yabbiaʿ) means “to pour out; to emit; to cause to bubble; to belch forth.” The fool bursts out with reckless utterances (cf. TEV “spout nonsense”).
Proverbs 15:2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 15:2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.(A)
Proverbs 15:7
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:7
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:7 tc The verb of the first colon, יְזָרוּ (yezaru, “they scatter”) is difficult because it does not fit the second very well—a heart does not “scatter” or “spread” knowledge. Symmachus’ Greek translation uses φυλάσσω (phulassō, “to guard, keep”) suggesting his text read יִצְּרוּ (yitseru) from נָצַר (natsar, “to guard, keep watch, comply with”). The LXX uses a form of δέω (deō, “to bind”). Although binding (often being bound as a prisoner) might be related to guarding, δέω does not otherwise represent נָצַר in the LXX. Still the editors of BHS and C. H. Toy (Proverbs [ICC], 305) suggest reading יִצְּרוּ (yitseru, “they guard”).
- Proverbs 15:7 tn The Hebrew לֹא־כֵן (loʾ khen) could be “not so” (HALOT 482 s.v. II כֵּן) or “not right, incorrect, wrong” (HALOT 482 s.v. I כֵּן), which is supported by the LXX: “hearts of fools are unstable.” If לֵב (lev, “heart, mind”) is understood to represent thinking, then, accepting the emendation in the first line, the proverb may say, “The lips of the wise preserve knowledge, but the thoughts of fools are incorrect.”sn The phrase “the heart of fools” emphasizes that fools do not comprehend knowledge. Cf. NCV “there is no knowledge in the thoughts of fools.”
Proverbs 15:7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 15:7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the minds of fools.
Proverbs 16:21
New English Translation
Proverbs 16:21
New English Translation
21 The one who is wise in heart[a] is called[b] discerning,
and kind speech[c] increases persuasiveness.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:21 tn Heb “wise of heart” (so NRSV).
- Proverbs 16:21 tn Heb “to the wise of heart it will be called discerning.” This means that the wise of heart, those who make wise decisions (“heart” being the metonymy), will gain a reputation of being the discerning ones.
- Proverbs 16:21 tn Heb “sweetness of lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause, meaning what is said. It is a genitive of specification. The idea of “sweetness” must be gracious and friendly words. The teaching will be well-received because it is both delightful and persuasive (cf. NIV “pleasant words promote instruction”).
- Proverbs 16:21 tn Heb “teaching” or “receptivity”; KJV “learning”; NIV “instruction.”
Proverbs 16:21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 16:21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
21 The wise of heart is called perceptive,
and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
Proverbs 16:23
New English Translation
Proverbs 16:23
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:23 tn Or “mind” (cf. NCV, NRSV, NLT).
- Proverbs 16:23 tn Heb “makes wise his mouth,” with “mouth” being a metonymy of cause for what is said: “speech.”
- Proverbs 16:23 sn Those who are wise say wise things. The proverb uses synthetic parallelism: The first line asserts that the wise heart ensures that what is said is wise, and the second line adds that such a person increases the reception of what is said.
- Proverbs 16:23 tn Heb “to his lips.” The term “lips” functions as a metonymy of cause for what is said.
Proverbs 16:23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 16:23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
New English Translation (NET)
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New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.