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Proverbs 3:7-8
New English Translation
Proverbs 3:7-8
New English Translation
7 Do not be wise in your own estimation;[a]
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.[b]
8 This will bring[c] healing to your body,[d]
and refreshment[e] to your inner self.[f]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:7 tn Heb “in your own eyes” (so NAB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.”
- Proverbs 3:7 sn The second colon clarifies the first. If one fears the Lord and turns away from evil, then he is depending on the Lord and not wise in his own eyes. There is a higher source of wisdom than human insight.
- Proverbs 3:8 tn Heb “it will be.” The form is Qal jussive of הָיָה (hayah) and is one of the rare uses of the volitive to express purpose or result, even though there is no vav prefixed to it. This indicates that v. 8 is the outcome of v. 7. If a person trusts in the Lord and fears him (vv. 5-7), God will bless him (v. 8).
- Proverbs 3:8 tc Heb “your navel” (cf. KJV, ASV). MT reads שָׁרֶּךָ (sharrekha, “your navel”) which functions as a synecdoche of part (= navel) for the whole (= body), meaning “your body” (BDB 1057 s.v. שׂר). The geminate noun שֹׂר (sor, “navel; navel-string [= umbilical cord]”) occurs only two other times in OT (Ezek 16:4; Song 7:3). The LXX reads τῷ σώματί σου (tō sōmati sou, “your body”). So the BHS editors suggest emending MT to the more commonly used terms בְּשָׂרֶךָ (besarekha, “your flesh”) or שְׁאֵרֶךָ (sheʾerekha, “your body”). But this kind of emendation runs counter to the canons of textual criticism; normally the more difficult reading or rarer term is preferred as original rather than a smooth reading or common term. Since “navel” occurs only twice elsewhere, it is difficult to imagine that it would have been confused for these two more common terms and that a scribe would mistakenly write “your navel” instead. If MT “your navel” is a synecdoche for “your body,” the LXX is not pointing to a different textual tradition but is merely interpreting MT accordingly. In similar fashion, the English versions which read “your body” are not rejecting the MT reading; they are merely interpreting the term as a figure (synecdoche) for “your body.”
- Proverbs 3:8 tn Heb “drink.” The noun שִׁקּוּי (shiqquy, “drink”) is a figure: metonymy of cause (= drink) for the effect (= refreshment); see BDB 1052 s.v. Just as a drink of water would bring physical refreshment to one’s body, trusting in God and turning away from evil will bring emotional refreshment to one’s soul.
- Proverbs 3:8 tn Heb “your bones.” The term עַצְמוֹתֶיךָ (ʿatsmotekha, “your bones”) functions as a synecdoche of part (= bones) for the whole person (= physical and moral aspects); cf. Pss 6:3; 35:10; Prov 3:8; 14:30; 15:30; 16:24; Isa 66:14 and BDB 782 s.v. עֶצֶם 1.d. Scripture often uses the body to describe the inner person (A. R. Johnson, The Vitality of the Individual in the Thought of Ancient Israel, 67-8).
Proverbs 3:7-8
New Living Translation
Proverbs 3:7-8
New Living Translation
7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
Proverbs 3:13-18
New English Translation
Proverbs 3:13-18
New English Translation
Blessings of Obtaining Wisdom
13 Blessed[a] is the one[b] who has found[c] wisdom,
and the one who obtains[d] understanding.
14 For her[e] benefit[f] is more profitable[g] than silver,
and her[h] gain[i] is better[j] than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
and none of the things you desire can compare[k] with her.[l]
16 Long life[m] is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are very pleasant,[n]
and all her paths are peaceful.
18 She is like[o] a tree of life[p] to those who grasp onto her,
and everyone who takes hold of her will be blessed.[q]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:13 tn Although the word אַשְׁרֵי (ʾashre, “blessed”) is frequently translated “happy” here (so KJV, ASV, NAB, NCV, NRSV, TEV, NLT), such a translation can be somewhat misleading. The core meaning of the word conveys “benefit” or “advantage,” sometimes meaning security. Though feeling glad about the benefit is often in view, “happy” is too narrow a translation. For example, Job 5:17 says the one whom God corrects is אַשְׁרֵי. Clearly the correction is a benefit; less clearly does it prompt inner happiness. On the other hand “blessed” should not be confused with בָּרַךְ (barakh) “to bless,” used in pronouncing blessings.
- Proverbs 3:13 tn Heb “the man” (also again in the following line).
- Proverbs 3:13 tn The verb מָצָא (matsaʾ) is a dynamic root in the perfect conjugation, best represented here by the English perfect “has found.” The formula with אַשְׁרֵי (ʾashre, “blessed”) most commonly uses the imperfect or participle for future or present activities. The perfect identifies an action in the past with continuing results. The present focus of the continuing results is sufficient to be in parallel with the following imperfect verb, which may be understood as present or future. The blessings, or benefits, that accrue to someone who has found wisdom are identified in the following verses.
- Proverbs 3:13 tn The precise meaning of the word פּוּק (puq) is unclear. It occurs only 7 times in the Bible and the meanings of cognates in other languages are disputed. It involves “obtaining” as is clear from its parallelism with מָצָא (matsaʾ; “to find”) here and elsewhere. But it is not clear whether it considers the process of obtaining or just the final achievement of obtaining (compare getting a wife in Prov 18:22). The lexical meaning affects one’s understanding of the imperfect form of the verb. If its lexical meaning focuses on the achievement, then it should probably be understood as future. This would work with the perfect verb in the first line to include those who will yet pursue and obtain understanding in receiving the benefits of wisdom. It could also be understood as a general present. If the lexical meaning includes the process of obtaining, that opens the possibilities of using the imperfect tense for progressive or habitual meaning.
- Proverbs 3:14 tn Heb “her profit.” The third person feminine singular suffix on the noun is probably a genitive of source: “from her.”
- Proverbs 3:14 tn Heb “profit.” The noun סַחַר (sakhar, “trading profit”) often refers to the financial profit of traveling merchants (Isa 23:3, 18; 45:14; HALOT 750 s.v.). The related participle describes a traveling “trader, dealer, wholesaler, merchant” (e.g., Gen 37:28; Prov 31:14; Isa 23:2; Ezek 27:36; HALOT 750 s.v. סחר qal.2). Here the noun is used figuratively to describe the moral benefit of wisdom.
- Proverbs 3:14 tn The noun סַחַר (“profit”) is repeated in this line for emphasis. The two usages draw upon slightly different nuances, creating a polysemantic wordplay. The moral “benefit” of wisdom is more “profitable” than silver.
- Proverbs 3:14 tn Heb “her yield.” The third person feminine singular suffix on the noun is probably a genitive of source: “from her.”
- Proverbs 3:14 tn Heb “yield.” The noun תְּבוּאָה (tevuʾah, “product; yield”) is normally used of crops and harvests (BDB 100 s.v. 1). Here it is figurative for the moral benefit of wisdom (BDB 100 s.v. 2.b).
- Proverbs 3:14 tn The phrase “is better” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the parallelism; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness.
- Proverbs 3:15 tn The imperfect verb from יָסַד (yasad, “to establish be like; to resemble”) has a modal nuance here: “can [not] compare with.”
- Proverbs 3:15 tn Heb “All of your delights cannot compare with her.”
- Proverbs 3:16 tn Heb “length of days” (so KJV, ASV).
- Proverbs 3:17 tn Heb “her ways are ways of pleasantness” (so KJV, NRSV). The present translation contracts this expression for the sake of smoothness. The plural of דֶרֶךְ (derekh, “way”) is repeated for emphasis. The noun נֹעַם (noʿam, “pleasantness”) functions as an attributive genitive: “pleasant ways.”
- Proverbs 3:18 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor.
- Proverbs 3:18 sn The metaphor compares wisdom to the symbol of vitality and fullness of life. This might be an allusion to Gen 3:22, suggesting that what was lost as a result of the Fall may be recovered through wisdom: long and beneficial life (R. Marcus, “The Tree of Life in Proverbs,” JBL 62 [1943]: 117-20).
- Proverbs 3:18 tn The singular participle מְאֻשָּׁר (meʾushar, literally, “he will be blessed”) functions as a distributive singular for a plural subject (GKC 464 §145.l): “each and everyone will be blessed.” Not recognizing this point of syntax, the BHS editors unnecessarily suggest emending this singular form to the plural.
Proverbs 3:13-18
New Living Translation
Proverbs 3:13-18
New Living Translation
13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.
Proverbs 4:10
New English Translation
Proverbs 4:10
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:10 tn Heb “my son” (likewise in v. 20).
- Proverbs 4:10 tn Following an imperative, a vav plus imperfect verb can depict purpose or result.
- Proverbs 4:10 tn Heb “and the years of life will be many for you.”
Proverbs 4:10
New Living Translation
Proverbs 4:10
New Living Translation
10 My child,[a] listen to me and do as I say,
and you will have a long, good life.
Proverbs 4:20-22
New English Translation
Proverbs 4:20-22
New English Translation
20 My child, pay attention to my words;
listen attentively[a] to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart[b] from your sight,
guard[c] them within your heart;[d]
22 for they are life to those who find them
and healing to one’s entire body.[e]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:20 tn Heb “incline your ear.” The verb הַט (hat) is the Hiphil imperative from נָטָה (natah, Hiphil: “to turn to; to incline”). The idiom “to incline the ear” gives the picture of “lean over and listen closely.” sn Commentators note the use of the body in this section: ear (v. 20), eyes (v. 21), flesh (v. 22), heart (v. 23), lips (v. 24), eyes (v. 25), feet (v. 26), and hands and feet (v. 27). Each is a synecdoche of part representing the whole; the total accumulation signifies the complete person in the process.
- Proverbs 4:21 tn The Hiphil form יַלִּיזוּ (yallizu) follows the Aramaic with gemination. The verb means “to turn aside; to depart” (intransitive Hiphil or inner causative).
- Proverbs 4:21 tn Or “keep” (so KJV, NIV, NRSV and many others).
- Proverbs 4:21 sn The words “eyes” and “heart” are metonymies of subject representing the faculties of each. Cf. CEV “think about it all.”
- Proverbs 4:22 tn Heb “to all of his flesh.”
Proverbs 4:20-22
New Living Translation
Proverbs 4:20-22
New Living Translation
20 My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body.
Proverbs 9:11
New English Translation
Proverbs 9:11
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:11 tn The preposition ב (bet) here may have the causal sense (R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 45, §247), although it could also be means (Williams, 44, §243).
- Proverbs 9:11 tn The verb וְיוֹסִיפוּ (veyosifu) is the Hiphil imperfect, third masculine plural, but because there is no expressed subject the verb may be taken as a passive.
Proverbs 9:11
New Living Translation
Proverbs 9:11
New Living Translation
11 Wisdom will multiply your days
and add years to your life.
Proverbs 10:27
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:27
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:27 tn Heb “the fear of the Lord.” The term יְהוָה (yehvah, “the Lord”) functions as an objective genitive.
- Proverbs 10:27 tn Heb “days” (so KJV, ASV).
- Proverbs 10:27 tn Heb “years.” The term “years” functions as a synecdoche of part (= years) for the whole (= lifespan).
- Proverbs 10:27 sn This general saying has to be qualified with the problem of the righteous suffering and dying young, a problem that perplexed the sages of the entire ancient world. But this is the general principle: The righteous live longer because their life is the natural one and because God blesses them.
Proverbs 10:27
New Living Translation
Proverbs 10:27
New Living Translation
27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.
Proverbs 14:30
New English Translation
Proverbs 14:30
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:30 tn Heb “heart of calmness” or “heart of healing.” The term לֵב (lev, “heart, mind”) is a metonymy for the emotional state of a person (BDB 660 s.v. 6). The genitive noun מַרְפֵּא (marpeʾ) functions as an attributive adjective and may be one of two homonyms. 1 מַרְפֵּא (“healing”) derives from the root רָפָא (raphaʾ, “to heal”) and 2 מַרְפֵּא (“calmness, gentleness”) derives from the root רָפָה (raphah, “to be slack, loose”). A healthy spirit is tranquil, bringing peace to the body (J. H. Greenstone, Proverbs, 158).
- Proverbs 14:30 tn Heb “is the life of the flesh” (so KJV, ASV); NAB, NIV “gives life to the body.”
- Proverbs 14:30 tn The term קִנְאָה (qinʾah, “envy”) refers to passionate zeal or “jealousy” (so NAB, NCV, TEV, NLT), depending on whether the object is out of bounds or within one’s rights. In the good sense one might be consumed with zeal to defend the institutions of the sanctuary. But as envy or jealousy the word describes an intense and sometimes violent excitement and desire that is never satisfied.
- Proverbs 14:30 tn Heb “rottenness of bones.” The term “bones” may be a synecdoche representing the entire body; it is in contrast with “flesh” of the first colon. One who is consumed with envy finds no tranquility or general sense of health in body or spirit.
Proverbs 14:30
New Living Translation
Proverbs 14:30
New Living Translation
30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
Proverbs 15:30
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:30
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:30 tc The LXX has “the eye that sees beautiful things.” D. W. Thomas suggests pointing מְאוֹר (meʾor) as a Hophal participle, “a fine sight cheers the mind” (“Textual and Philological Notes,” 205). But little is to be gained from this change.tn Heb “light of the eyes” (so KJV, NRSV). The expression may indicate the gleam in the eyes of the one who tells the good news, as the parallel clause suggests.
- Proverbs 15:30 tn Heb “makes fat the bones;” NAB “invigorates the bones;” NASB “puts fat on the bones.” The word “bones” is a metonymy of subject, the bones representing the whole body. The idea of “making fat” signifies by comparison (hypocatastasis) with fat things that the body will be healthy and prosperous (e.g., Prov 17:22; 25:25; Gen 45:27-28; Isa 52:7-8). Good news makes the person feel good in body and soul.
Proverbs 15:30
New Living Translation
Proverbs 15:30
New Living Translation
30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health.
Proverbs 16:17
New English Translation
Proverbs 16:17
New English Translation
17 The highway[a] of the upright is to turn away[b] from evil;
the one who guards[c] his way safeguards his life.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:17 sn The point of righteous living is made with the image of a highway, a raised and well-graded road (a hypocatastasis, implying a comparison between a highway and the right way of living).
- Proverbs 16:17 tn The form סוּר (sur) is a Qal infinitive; it indicates that a purpose of the righteous life is to turn away from evil. “Evil” here has the sense of sinful living. So the first line asserts that the well-cared-for life avoids sin.
- Proverbs 16:17 sn The second half of the verse uses two different words for “guard”; this one is נֹצֵר (notser) “the one who guards his way,” and the first is שֹׁמֵר (shomer) “the one who guards his life” (the order of the words is reversed in the translation). The second colon then explains further the first (synthetic parallelism), because to guard one’s way preserves life.
- Proverbs 16:17 tc The LXX adds three lines after 17a and one after 17b: “The paths of life turn aside from evils, and the ways of righteousness are length of life; he who receives instruction will be prosperous, and he who regards reproofs will be made wise; he who guards his ways preserves his soul, and he who loves his life will spare his mouth.”
Proverbs 16:17
New Living Translation
Proverbs 16:17
New Living Translation
17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;
whoever follows that path is safe.
Proverbs 16:24
New English Translation
Proverbs 16:24
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:24 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
- Proverbs 16:24 sn The metaphor of honey or the honeycomb is used elsewhere in scripture, notably Ps 19:10 [11]. Honey was used in Israel as a symbol of the delightful and healthy products of the land—“a land flowing with milk and honey” (Deut 6:3).
- Proverbs 16:24 sn Two predicates are added to qualify the metaphor: The pleasant words are “sweet” and “healing.” “Soul” includes in it the appetites, physical and spiritual; and so sweet to the “soul” would summarize all the ways pleasant words give pleasure. “Bones” is a metonymy of subject, the boney framework representing the whole person, body and soul. Pleasant words, like honey, will enliven and encourage the whole person. One might recall, in line with the imagery here, how Jonathan’s eyes brightened when he ate from the honeycomb (1 Sam 14:27).
Proverbs 16:24
New Living Translation
Proverbs 16:24
New Living Translation
24 Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 17:22
New English Translation
Proverbs 17:22
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:22 sn Heb “a heart of rejoicing”; KJV “a merry heart”; NAB, NASB “a joyful heart.” This attributive genitive refers to the mind or psyche. A happy and healthy outlook on life brings healing.
- Proverbs 17:22 tc The word “healing” is a hapax legomenon; some have suggested changes, such as to Arabic jihatu (“face”) or to גְּוִיָּה (geviyyah, “body”) as in the Syriac and Tg. Prov 17:22, but the MT makes sense as it is and should be retained. tn Heb “it causes good a healing.” This means it promotes healing.
- Proverbs 17:22 sn The “crushed spirit” refers to one who is depressed (cf. NAB “a depressed spirit”). “Crushed” is figurative (an implied comparison) for the idea that one’s psyche or will to go on is beaten down by circumstances.
- Proverbs 17:22 sn The “bones” figuratively represent the whole body encased in a boney framework (metonymy of subject). “Fat bones” in scripture means a healthy body (3:8; 15:30; 16:24), but “dried up” bones signify unhealthiness and lifelessness (cf. Ezek 37:1-4).
Proverbs 17:22
New Living Translation
Proverbs 17:22
New Living Translation
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
Proverbs 23:17-18
New English Translation
Proverbs 23:17-18
New English Translation
17 Do not let your heart envy[a] sinners,
but rather be zealous in fearing the Lord[b] all the time.
18 For surely there is a future,[c]
and your hope will not be cut off.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:17 tn The verb in this line is אַל־יְקַנֵּא (ʾal yeqanneʾ), the Piel jussive negated. The verb means “to be jealous, to be zealous”; it describes passionate intensity for something. In English, if the object is illegitimate, it is called “envy”; if it is correct, it is called “zeal.” Here the warning is not to envy the sinners. The second colon could use the verb in the positive sense to mean “but rather let your passion burn for the fear of the Lord.”
- Proverbs 23:17 tn Heb “the fear of the Lord.” This expression features an objective genitive: “fearing the Lord.”
- Proverbs 23:18 tn Heb “end” (so KJV); ASV “a reward.”
- Proverbs 23:18 sn The saying is an understatement; far from being cut off, the “hope” will be realized in the end. So this saying, the thirteenth, advises people to be zealous for the fear of the Lord, their religion, rather than for anything that sinners have to offer.
Proverbs 23:17-18
New Living Translation
Proverbs 23:17-18
New Living Translation
17 Don’t envy sinners,
but always continue to fear the Lord.
18 You will be rewarded for this;
your hope will not be disappointed.
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.