Proverbs 24:26

New American Standard Bible

²⁶One who gives ^[a]a right answer
Kisses the lips.

Proverbs 24:26

New English Translation

²⁶Like a kiss on the lips^[a]
is the one who gives an honest answer.

Proverbs 24:26 tn Heb “the one who returns right words kisses the lips.” This is an implied comparison for giving an honest answer. Honesty is like a kiss. The kiss would signify love, devotion, sincerity, and commitment (in that culture)—an outward expression of what is in the heart. It is an apt illustration of telling the truth. Some English versions now replace the figure to avoid cultural misunderstanding (cf. TEV, CEV “a sign of true friendship”; NLT “an honor”).

²⁸Do not be a ^(A)witness against your neighbor for no reason,
And ^(B)do not deceive with your lips.

²⁸Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,^[a]
and do not deceive with your words.^[b]

Proverbs 24:28 sn The legal setting of these sayings continues with this warning against being a false accuser. The “witness” in this line is one who has no basis for his testimony. “Without cause” is the adverb from חָנָן (khanan), which means “to be gracious.” The adverb means “without a cause; gratis; free.” It is also cognate to the word חֵן (khen), “grace” or “unmerited [or, undeserved] favor.” The connotation is that the opposite is due. So the adverb would mean that there was no cause, no justification for the witness, but that the evidence seemed to lie on the other side.
Proverbs 24:28 tn Heb “lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause; it means “what is said.” Here it refers to what is said in court as a false witness.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New English Translation (NET)