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Proverbs 23:10-11
New English Translation
Proverbs 23:10-11
New English Translation
10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone,
or take over[a] the fields of the fatherless,
11 for their Protector[b] is strong;
he will plead their case against you.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:10 tn Or “encroach on” (NIV, NRSV); Heb “go into.”
- Proverbs 23:11 tn The participle גֹּאֵל (goʾel) describes a “kinsman redeemer.” Some English versions explicitly cite “God” (e.g., NCV, CEV) or “the Lord” (e.g. TEV). sn The Hebrew term describes a “kinsman-redeemer.” That individual would be a rich or powerful relative who can protect the family; he does this by paying off the debts of a poor relative, buying up the property of a relative who sells himself into slavery, marrying the widow of a deceased relative to keep the inheritance in the family, or taking vengeance on someone who harms a relative, that vengeance often resulting in delivering (“redeeming”) the relative from bondage. If there was no human “kinsman redeemer,” then the defenseless had to rely on God to perform these actions (e.g., Gen 48:16; Exod 6:6; Job 19:25; Isa 41-63). In the prophetic literature God is presented as the Redeemer in that he takes vengeance on the enemies (the Babylonians) to deliverer his people (kin). In this proverb the Lord is probably the Protector of these people who will champion their cause and set things right.
- Proverbs 23:11 sn This is the tenth saying; once again there is a warning not to encroach on other people’s rights and property, especially the defenseless (see v. 10; 22:22-23, 28).
Proverbs 23:10-11
New Living Translation
Proverbs 23:10-11
New Living Translation
10 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers;
don’t take the land of defenseless orphans.
11 For their Redeemer[a] is strong;
he himself will bring their charges against you.
Footnotes
- 23:11 Or redeemer.
New English Translation (NET)
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New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.