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Proverbs 10:6
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:6
New English Translation
6 Blessings[a] are on the head of the righteous,
but the speech[b] of the wicked conceals[c] violence.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:6 sn The word “blessings” has the sense of gifts, enrichments, that is, the rewards or the results of being righteous. The blessings come either from the people the righteous deal with, or from God. CEV understands the blessings as praise for good behavior (“Everyone praises good people”).
- Proverbs 10:6 tn Heb “the mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech.
- Proverbs 10:6 tn Heb “covers.” Behind the speech of the wicked is aggressive violence (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 422).
- Proverbs 10:6 tn The syntax of this line is ambiguous. The translation takes “the mouth of the wicked” as the nominative subject and “violence” as the accusative direct object; however, the subject might be “violence,” hence: “violence covers the mouth of the wicked” (cf. KJV, ASV, NIV).
Proverbs 10:6
International Standard Version
Proverbs 10:6
International Standard Version
The Righteous and Wicked Compared
6 Blessings come[a] upon the head of the righteous,
but the words[b] of the wicked conceal violence.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:6 The Heb. lacks come
- Proverbs 10:6 Lit. mouth
Proverbs 10:8
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:8
New English Translation
8 The wise person[a] accepts instructions,[b]
but the one who speaks foolishness[c] will come to ruin.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:8 tn Heb “the wise of mind.” The noun לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) functions as a genitive of specification: “wise in the mind” or “wise-minded.” Cf. “wise hearted” NASB, ESV, NRSV; “wise in heart” KJV, NIV. The term לֵב (lev) represents the person in this case (a synecdoche of part for the whole) because it is the seat of thinking and wisdom.
- Proverbs 10:8 tn Heb “commandments.”
- Proverbs 10:8 tn Heb “fool of lips.” The phrase is a genitive of specification: “a fool in respect to lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause (= lips) for effect (= speech). This person talks foolishness; he is too busy talking to pay attention to instruction.
- Proverbs 10:8 tn The Niphal verb לָבַט (lavat) means “to be thrust down [or, away]”; that is, “to be ruined; to fall” or “to stumble” (e.g., Hos 4:14). The fool who refuses to listen to advice—but abides by his own standards which he freely expresses—will suffer the predicaments that he creates.
Proverbs 10:8
International Standard Version
Proverbs 10:8
International Standard Version
8 The wise person[a] accepts commands,
but the chattering fool will be brought down.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:8 Lit. wise in heart
Proverbs 10:10-11
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:10-11
New English Translation
10 The one who winks[a] his[b] eye causes[c] trouble,
and the one who speaks foolishness[d] will come to ruin.
11 The speech[e] of the righteous is a fountain of life,[f]
but the speech[g] of the wicked conceals[h] violence.[i]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:10 tn The participle (קָרַץ, qarats) describes a person who habitually “winks” his eye maliciously as a secretive sign to those conspiring evil (Prov 6:13). This is a comparison rather than a contrast. Devious gestures are grievous, but not as ruinous as foolish talk. Both are to be avoided.
- Proverbs 10:10 tn Heb “the eye.”
- Proverbs 10:10 tn Heb “gives.”
- Proverbs 10:10 tn Heb “the fool of lips”; cf. NASB “a babbling fool.” The phrase is a genitive of specification: “a fool in respect to lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause (= lips) for effect (= speech). The word for fool (אֶוִיל, ʾevil) refers to someone who despises knowledge and discernment.
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “mouth.” The word “mouth” is metonymy of cause, representing what the righteous say and teach.
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “a fountain of life is the mouth of the righteous” (NAB similar). The subject (“a fountain of life”) and the predicate (“the mouth of the righteous”) in the Hebrew text are reversed in the present translation (as in most English versions) for the sake of clarity and smoothness. The idea of this metaphor, “the fountain of life,” may come from Ps 36:9 (e.g., also Prov 13:14; 14:27; 16:22). What the righteous say is beneficial to life or life-giving. Their words are life-giving but the words of the wicked are violent. See R. B. Y. Scott, “Wise and Foolish, Righteous and Wicked,” VT 29 (1972): 145-65.
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “the mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech.
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “covers.” Behind the speech of the wicked is aggressive violence (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 422).
- Proverbs 10:11 tn The syntax of this line is ambiguous. The translation takes “the mouth of the wicked” as the nominative subject and “violence” as the accusative direct object; however, the subject might be “violence,” hence: “violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”
Proverbs 10:10-11
International Standard Version
Proverbs 10:10-11
International Standard Version
11 What the righteous say[c] is a flowing fountain,[d]
but what the wicked say[e] conceals violence.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:10 I.e. Those whose looks communicate insincerity
- Proverbs 10:10 So MT; LXX reads makers, but the one who reproves publicly makes peace
- Proverbs 10:11 Lit. The mouth of the righteous
- Proverbs 10:11 Lit. a fountain of life
- Proverbs 10:11 Lit. but the mouth of the wicked
Proverbs 10:14
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:14
New English Translation
14 Those who are wise[a] store up[b] knowledge,
but foolish speech[c] leads to imminent[d] destruction.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:14 tn Heb “wise men.”
- Proverbs 10:14 sn The verb צָפַן (tsafan, “to store up; to treasure”) may mean (1) the wise acquire and do not lose wisdom (cf. NAB, NIV, TEV), or (2) they do not tell all that they know (cf. NCV), that is, they treasure it up for a time when they will need it. The fool, by contrast, talks without thinking.
- Proverbs 10:14 tn Heb “the mouth of foolishness”; cf. NRSV, NLT “the babbling of a fool.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech. The genitive אֶוִיל (ʾevil, “foolishness”) functions as an attributive adjective: “a foolish mouth” = foolish speech.
- Proverbs 10:14 tn Heb “near destruction.” The words of the fool that are uttered without wise forethought may invite imminent ruin (e.g., James 3:13-18). See also Ptah-hotep and Amenemope in ANET 414 and 423.
Proverbs 10:14
International Standard Version
Proverbs 10:14
International Standard Version
14 Those who are wise store up knowledge,
but when the fool speaks,[a] destruction is near.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:14 Lit. but the mouth of the fool
Proverbs 11:9
New English Translation
Proverbs 11:9
New English Translation
9 With his speech[a] the godless person[b] destroys[c] his neighbor,
but by knowledge[d] the righteous will be delivered.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:9 tn Heb “with his mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech.
- Proverbs 11:9 sn The Hebrew word originally meant “impious, godless, polluted, profane.” It later developed the idea of a “hypocrite” (Dan 11:32), one who conceals his evil under the appearance of godliness or kindness. This one is a false flatterer.
- Proverbs 11:9 sn The verb שָׁחַת (shakhat) means “to destroy; to ruin” (e.g., the destruction of Sodom in Gen 13:10). The imperfect tense is probably not an habitual imperfect (because the second colon shows exceptions), but probably a progressive imperfect (“this goes on”) or potential imperfect (“they can do this”).
- Proverbs 11:9 sn The antithetical proverb states that a righteous person can escape devastating slander through knowledge. The righteous will have sufficient knowledge and perception to see through the hypocrisy and avoid its effect.
Proverbs 11:9
International Standard Version
Proverbs 11:9
International Standard Version
9 By what he says, the godless person can destroy his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.
Proverbs 12:6
New English Translation
Proverbs 12:6
New English Translation
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait[a] to shed innocent blood,[b]
but the words[c] of the upright will deliver them.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:6 tn Heb “are to ambush blood.” The infinitive construct אֱרָב (ʾerov, “to lie in wait”) expresses the purpose of their conversations. The proverb either compares their words to an ambush (cf. NAB, NRSV “are a deadly ambush”) or states what the content of their words is about.
- Proverbs 12:6 tn Heb “for blood.” The term “blood” is a metonymy of effect, the cause being the person that they will attack and whose blood they will shed. After the construct “blood” is also an objective genitive.
- Proverbs 12:6 tn Heb “mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) is a metonymy of cause, signifying what the righteous say. The righteous can make a skillful defense against false accusations that are intended to destroy. The righteous, who have gained wisdom, can escape the traps set by the words of the wicked.
Proverbs 12:6
International Standard Version
Proverbs 12:6
International Standard Version
6 The words of the wicked lead to[a] bloodshed,
but the speech of the upright delivers them.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:6 Lit. wicked lie in wait for
Proverbs 14:3
New English Translation
Proverbs 14:3
New English Translation
Read full chapter
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:3 tn The preposition ב (bet) may denote (1) exchange: “in exchange for” foolish talk there is a rod; or (2) cause: “because of” foolish talk.
- Proverbs 14:3 sn The noun פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for what is said (“speech, words, talk”).
- Proverbs 14:3 tc The MT reads גַּאֲוָה (gaʾavah, “pride”) which creates an awkward sense “in the mouth of a fool is a rod/shoot of pride” (cf. KJV, ASV), perhaps meaning that pride sprouts from his mouth. The BHS editors suggest emending the form to גֵּוֹה (gevoh, “disciplining-rod”) to create tighter parallelism and irony: “in the mouth of a fool is a rod for the back” (e.g., Prov 10:13). What the fool says will bring discipline.tn Heb “a rod of back.” The noun גֵּוֹה functions as a genitive of specification: “a rod for his back.” The fool is punished because of what he says.
- Proverbs 14:3 tn Heb “lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause, meaning what they say. The wise by their speech will find protection.
Proverbs 14:3
International Standard Version
Proverbs 14:3
International Standard Version
3 What a fool says brings[a] a rod to his back,
but the words of the wise protect them.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:3 Lit. The mouth of the fool
Proverbs 15:2
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:2
New English Translation
2 The tongue of the wise[a] treats knowledge correctly,[b]
but the mouth of the fool spouts out[c] folly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:2 sn The contrast is between the “tongue of the wise” and the “mouth of the fool.” Both expressions are metonymies of cause; the subject matter is what they say. How wise people are can be determined from what they say.
- Proverbs 15:2 tn Or “makes knowledge acceptable” (so NASB). The verb תֵּיטִיב (tetiv, Hiphil imperfect of יָטַב [yatav, “to be good”]) can be translated “to make good” or “to treat in a good [or, excellent] way” (C. H. Toy, Proverbs [ICC], 303). M. Dahood, however, suggests emending the text to תֵּיטִיף (tetif) which is a cognate of נָטַף (nataf, “drip”), and translates “tongues of the sages drip with knowledge” (Proverbs and Northwest Semitic Philology, 32-33). But this change is gratuitous and unnecessary.
- Proverbs 15:2 sn The Hiphil verb יַבִּיעַ (yabbiaʿ) means “to pour out; to emit; to cause to bubble; to belch forth.” The fool bursts out with reckless utterances (cf. TEV “spout nonsense”).
Proverbs 15:2
International Standard Version
Proverbs 15:2
International Standard Version
2 The wise speak, presenting[a] knowledge appropriately,
but fools spout foolishness.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:2 Lit. The tongues of the wise present
Proverbs 15:7
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:7
New English Translation
Read full chapter
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:7 tc The verb of the first colon, יְזָרוּ (yezaru, “they scatter”) is difficult because it does not fit the second very well—a heart does not “scatter” or “spread” knowledge. Symmachus’ Greek translation uses φυλάσσω (phulassō, “to guard, keep”) suggesting his text read יִצְּרוּ (yitseru) from נָצַר (natsar, “to guard, keep watch, comply with”). The LXX uses a form of δέω (deō, “to bind”). Although binding (often being bound as a prisoner) might be related to guarding, δέω does not otherwise represent נָצַר in the LXX. Still the editors of BHS and C. H. Toy (Proverbs [ICC], 305) suggest reading יִצְּרוּ (yitseru, “they guard”).
- Proverbs 15:7 tn The Hebrew לֹא־כֵן (loʾ khen) could be “not so” (HALOT 482 s.v. II כֵּן) or “not right, incorrect, wrong” (HALOT 482 s.v. I כֵּן), which is supported by the LXX: “hearts of fools are unstable.” If לֵב (lev, “heart, mind”) is understood to represent thinking, then, accepting the emendation in the first line, the proverb may say, “The lips of the wise preserve knowledge, but the thoughts of fools are incorrect.”sn The phrase “the heart of fools” emphasizes that fools do not comprehend knowledge. Cf. NCV “there is no knowledge in the thoughts of fools.”
Proverbs 15:7
International Standard Version
Proverbs 15:7
International Standard Version
7 What the wise have to say disseminates[a] knowledge,
but it’s not in the heart of fools to do so.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:7 Lit. The lips of the wise spread
Proverbs 15:7
New English Translation
Proverbs 15:7
New English Translation
Read full chapter
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:7 tc The verb of the first colon, יְזָרוּ (yezaru, “they scatter”) is difficult because it does not fit the second very well—a heart does not “scatter” or “spread” knowledge. Symmachus’ Greek translation uses φυλάσσω (phulassō, “to guard, keep”) suggesting his text read יִצְּרוּ (yitseru) from נָצַר (natsar, “to guard, keep watch, comply with”). The LXX uses a form of δέω (deō, “to bind”). Although binding (often being bound as a prisoner) might be related to guarding, δέω does not otherwise represent נָצַר in the LXX. Still the editors of BHS and C. H. Toy (Proverbs [ICC], 305) suggest reading יִצְּרוּ (yitseru, “they guard”).
- Proverbs 15:7 tn The Hebrew לֹא־כֵן (loʾ khen) could be “not so” (HALOT 482 s.v. II כֵּן) or “not right, incorrect, wrong” (HALOT 482 s.v. I כֵּן), which is supported by the LXX: “hearts of fools are unstable.” If לֵב (lev, “heart, mind”) is understood to represent thinking, then, accepting the emendation in the first line, the proverb may say, “The lips of the wise preserve knowledge, but the thoughts of fools are incorrect.”sn The phrase “the heart of fools” emphasizes that fools do not comprehend knowledge. Cf. NCV “there is no knowledge in the thoughts of fools.”
Proverbs 15:7
International Standard Version
Proverbs 15:7
International Standard Version
7 What the wise have to say disseminates[a] knowledge,
but it’s not in the heart of fools to do so.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:7 Lit. The lips of the wise spread
Proverbs 16:23
New English Translation
Proverbs 16:23
New English Translation
Read full chapter
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:23 tn Or “mind” (cf. NCV, NRSV, NLT).
- Proverbs 16:23 tn Heb “makes wise his mouth,” with “mouth” being a metonymy of cause for what is said: “speech.”
- Proverbs 16:23 sn Those who are wise say wise things. The proverb uses synthetic parallelism: The first line asserts that the wise heart ensures that what is said is wise, and the second line adds that such a person increases the reception of what is said.
- Proverbs 16:23 tn Heb “to his lips.” The term “lips” functions as a metonymy of cause for what is said.
Proverbs 16:23
International Standard Version
Proverbs 16:23
International Standard Version
23 A wise person’s thoughts[a] control his words,
and his speech promotes instruction.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:23 Lit. heart
Proverbs 18:6-7
New English Translation
Proverbs 18:6-7
New English Translation
6 The lips of a fool[a] enter into strife,[b]
and his mouth invites[c] a flogging.[d]
7 The mouth of a fool is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare for his life.[e]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:6 sn The “lips” is a metonymy of cause, meaning what the fool says. The “mouth” in the second colon is likewise a metonymy for speech, what comes out of the mouth.
- Proverbs 18:6 sn “Strife” is a metonymy of cause, it is the cause of the beating or flogging that follows; “flogging” in the second colon is a metonymy of effect, the flogging is the effect of the strife. The two together give the whole picture.
- Proverbs 18:6 tn Heb “calls for.” This is personification: What the fool says “calls for” a beating or flogging. The fool deserves punishment, but does not actually request it.
- Proverbs 18:6 tn Heb “blows.” This would probably be physical beatings, either administered by the father or by society (e.g., also 19:25; Ps 141:5; cf. NAB, NIV, TEV, NLT). Today, however, “a beating” could be associated with violent criminal assault, whereas the context suggests punishment. Therefore “a flogging” is used in the translation, since that term is normally associated with disciplinary action.
- Proverbs 18:7 tn Heb “his soul” (so KJV, NASB, NIV).sn What a fool says can ruin him. Calamity and misfortune can come to a person who makes known his lack of wisdom by what he says. It may be that his words incite anger, or merely reveal stupidity; in either case, he is in trouble.
Proverbs 18:6-7
International Standard Version
Proverbs 18:6-7
International Standard Version
6 A fool’s words[a] bring strife,
and his mouth invites fighting.
7 A fool’s mouth is his unraveling,
and his lips entrap himself.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:6 Lit. lips
New English Translation (NET)
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