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Proverbs 28:4
New Living Translation
Proverbs 28:4
New Living Translation
4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
to obey the law is to fight them.
Proverbs 28:4
New English Translation
Proverbs 28:4
New English Translation
4 Those who forsake the law[a] praise the wicked,[b]
but those who keep the law contend[c] with them.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:4 sn Some commentators do not think that the word refers to the Mosaic law, but to “instruction” or “teaching” in general (cf. NCV “who disobey what they have been taught”). However, the expression “keep the law” in the second line indicates that it is binding, which would not be true of teaching in general (J. Bright, “The Apodictic Prohibition: Some Observations,” JBL 92 [1973]: 185-204). Moreover, Proverbs 28:9 and 29:18 refer to the law, and this chapter has a stress on piety.
- Proverbs 28:4 sn The proverb gives the outcome and the evidence of those who forsake the law—they “praise the wicked.” This may mean (1) calling the wicked good or (2) justifying what the wicked do, for such people are no longer sensitive to evil.
- Proverbs 28:4 tn The verb is the Hitpael imperfect of גָּרָה (garah), which means “to stir up strife” but in this stem means “to engage in strife” (cf. NIV “resist them”). Tg. Prov 28:4 adds an explanatory expansion, “so as to induce them to repent.”
Proverbs 28:7
New Living Translation
Proverbs 28:7
New Living Translation
7 Young people who obey the law are wise;
those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.[a]
Footnotes
- 28:7 Hebrew their father.
Proverbs 28:7
New English Translation
Proverbs 28:7
New English Translation
7 The one who keeps the law[a] is a discerning child,[b]
but a companion of gluttons brings shame to[c] his parents.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:7 tn The Hebrew word could refer (1) to “instruction” by the father (cf. NCV) or (2) the Mosaic law (so most English versions). The chapter seems to be stressing religious obedience, so the referent is probably the law. Besides, the father’s teaching will be what the law demands, and the one who associates with gluttons is not abiding by the law.
- Proverbs 28:7 tn Heb “son,” but the immediate context does not suggest limiting this only to male children.
- Proverbs 28:7 sn The companion of gluttons shames his father and his family because such a life style as he now embraces is both unruly and antisocial.
- Proverbs 28:7 tn Heb “father,” but the immediate context does not suggest limiting this only to the male parent.
Proverbs 28:9
New Living Translation
Proverbs 28:9
New Living Translation
9 God detests the prayers
of a person who ignores the law.
Proverbs 28:9
New English Translation
Proverbs 28:9
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:9 sn The expression “turn away the ear from hearing” uses a metonymy to mean that this individual will not listen—it indicates a deliberate refusal to follow the instruction of the law.
- Proverbs 28:9 sn It is hard to imagine how someone who willfully refuses to obey the law of God would pray according to the will of God. Such a person is more apt to pray for some physical thing or make demands on God. (Of course a prayer of repentance would be an exception and would not be an abomination to the Lord.)
- Proverbs 28:9 sn C. H. Toy says, “If a man, on his part, is deaf to instruction, then God, on his part, is deaf to prayer” (Proverbs [ICC], 499). And W. McKane observes that one who fails to attend to God’s law is a wicked person, even if he is a man of prayer (Proverbs [OTL], 623).
Proverbs 29:18
New Living Translation
Proverbs 29:18
New Living Translation
18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.
But whoever obeys the law is joyful.
Proverbs 29:18
New English Translation
Proverbs 29:18
New English Translation
18 When there is no prophetic vision[a] the people cast off restraint,[b]
but the one who keeps the law,[c] blessed is he![d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:18 tn Heb “no vision.” The Hebrew word “vision” (from the verb חָזָה [khazah, “to see”]) refers to divine communication to prophets (as in 1 Sam 3:1) and not to individual goals or plans. C. H. Toy sees a problem here: The most calamitous period of Israel’s history was when prophetic vision was at its height, whereas people were often more obedient when God was silent. He also notes that in the book of Proverbs there is no mention of prophetic teaching with wisdom as a guide. So he emends the word to “guidance” following the LXX (Proverbs [ICC], 512). The TEV has “guidance”; the NIV retains “revelation.” It must be stated that the prophetic ministry was usually in response to the calamitous periods, calling the people back to God. Without them the downward rush to anarchy and destruction would have been faster than with these prophetic calls from God.
- Proverbs 29:18 tn The verb פָּרַע (paraʿ) means “to let go; to let alone.” It occurs here in the Niphal with the meaning of “[the people] are let loose,” meaning, they cast off restraint (e.g., Exod 32:25). Cf. NLT “run wild.”
- Proverbs 29:18 sn The law here refers to scripture, the concrete form of revelation. So the two halves of the verse provide the contrast: When there is no prophetic revelation there is chaos, but those who keep the revelation contained in scripture find blessing.
- Proverbs 29:18 tn There is a tendency among commentators and English versions to translate אַשְׁרֵהוּ (ʾashrehu) as “happy is he!” (cf. KJV, ASV, NAB, NASB, TEV, NLT). But “happy” can be a misleading translation. The Hebrew word refers to a heavenly bliss, an inner joy, that comes from knowing one is right with God and experiencing his blessing. “Happiness,” on the other hand, depends on what happens.
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.
New English Translation (NET)
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