Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options
Close NET

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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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).
  5. Proverbs 20:5 tn Heb “a man of understanding”; TEV “someone with insight”; NLT “the wise.”
Close LEB

Proverbs 20:5
Lexham English Bible

5 Deep waters are like purpose in the heart[a] of a man,
    and a man of understanding will draw it[b] out.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:5 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 20:5 Or “her”; referring to “purpose”
Next
Proverbs 19
Proverbs 21
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 20:18
New English Translation

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

Read full chapter

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.
Close LEB

Proverbs 20:18
Lexham English Bible

18 A plan[a] will be established by advice,
    and with guidance make war.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:18 Hebrew “plans”
Next
Proverbs 19
Proverbs 21
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 23:9
New English Translation

9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool,[a]
for he will despise the wisdom of your words.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:9 sn The mention of “the ears” emphasizes the concerted effort to get the person’s undivided attention. However, a fool rejects instruction and discipline.
  2. Proverbs 23:9 sn Saying number nine indicates that wisdom is wasted on a fool. The literature of Egypt has no specific parallel to this one.
Close LEB

Proverbs 23:9
Lexham English Bible

9 In the ears of a fool do not speak,
    for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 22
Proverbs 24
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 27:9
New English Translation

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

Read full chapter

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.”
Close LEB

Proverbs 27:9
Lexham English Bible

9 Perfume and incense will gladden a heart,
    and the pleasantness of one’s friend is personal advice.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:9 Literally “because of advice of a person”
Next
Proverbs 26
Proverbs 28
Next
dropdown
New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Lexham English Bible (LEB)

2012 by Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software