Proverbs 11:1
New English Translation
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:1 tn Heb “an abomination of the Lord.” The term יְהוָה (yehvah, “the Lord”) is a subjective genitive.
- Proverbs 11:1 tn Heb “scales of deception.” The genitive is attributive: “deceptive scales.” This refers to dishonesty in the market where silver was weighed in the scales. God condemns dishonest business practices (Deut 25:13-16; Lev 19:35-36), as did the ancient Near East (ANET 388, 423).
- Proverbs 11:1 tn Heb “a perfect stone.” שָׁלֵם (shalem) can mean “intact, whole, perfect.” Stones were used for measuring amounts of silver on the scales and so were critical to the integrity of economic translations. Someone might cheat by tampering with the scale or the stones. The Lord is pleased with a proper stone that has not been tampered with because it represents integrity of process in the marketplace.
Proverbs 11:1
American Standard Version
11 [a]A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah;
But a just weight is his delight.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:1 Hebrew A balance of deceit.
Proverbs 16:8
New English Translation
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:8 sn The lines contrast the modest income with the abundant income, but the real contrast is between righteousness and the lack of justice (or injustice). “Justice” is used for both legal justice and ethical conduct. It is contrasted with righteousness in 12:5 and 21:7; it describes ethical behavior in 21:3. Here the point is that unethical behavior tarnishes the great gain and will be judged by God.
- Proverbs 16:8 sn This is another “better” saying; between these two things, the first is better. There are other options—such as righteousness with wealth—but the proverb is not concerned with that. A similar saying appears in Amenemope 8:19-20 (ANET 422).
Proverbs 16:8
American Standard Version
8 Better is a little, with righteousness,
Than great revenues with injustice.
Proverbs 20:23
New English Translation
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:23 tn Heb “an abomination of the Lord.” This expression features a subjective genitive: “the Lord abhors.”
- Proverbs 20:23 tn Heb “not good.” This is a figure known as tapeinosis—a deliberate understatement to emphasize a worst-case scenario: “it is wicked!” (e.g., 11:1; 20:10).
Proverbs 20:23
American Standard Version
23 Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah;
And [a]a false balance is not good.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:23 Hebrew a balance of deceit.
Proverbs 22:28
New English Translation
Footnotes
- Proverbs 22:28 sn Moving a boundary stone was (and still is) a major problem. The boundaries that were established by the forefathers were to be preserved, but no law would stop such violations if people lacked integrity (e.g., Deut 19:14; 27:17; 1 Kgs 21:16-19). Boundaries in Israel were sacred because God owned the land and he apportioned the property to the tribes. To extend one’s property illegally by moving a neighbor’s boundary marker was a violation of covenant and oath. Of course, disputes could arise when both sides claim their ancestors established a boundary.
- Proverbs 22:28 tn Heb “your fathers” (so NAB, NASB).sn The fourth saying deals with respect for property that belongs to other people (cf. Instruction of Amenemope, chap. 6, 7:12-13 [ANET 422]).
Proverbs 22:28
American Standard Version
28 Remove not the ancient landmark,
Which thy fathers have set.
Proverbs 23:10
New English Translation
10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone,
or take over[a] the fields of the fatherless,
Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:10 tn Or “encroach on” (NIV, NRSV); Heb “go into.”
Proverbs 23:10
American Standard Version
10 Remove not the ancient landmark;
And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
Proverbs 28:8
New English Translation
8 The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest[a]
gathers it for someone who is gracious[b] to the needy.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:8 tn Heb “by interest and increase” (so ASV; NASB “by interest and usury”; NAB “by interest and overcharge.” The two words seem to be synonyms; they probably form a nominal hendiadys, meaning “by increasing [exorbitant] interest.” The law prohibited making a commission or charging interest (Exod 22:25; Lev 25:36-37; Deut 23:20; Ps 15:5). If the poor needed help, the rich were to help them—but not charge them interest.
- Proverbs 28:8 tn The term חוֹנֵן (khonen, “someone who shows favor”) is the active participle. sn The verse is saying that in God’s justice wealth amassed unjustly will eventually go to the poor. God will take the wealth away from them and give it to people who will distribute it better to the poor.
Proverbs 28:8
American Standard Version
8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase,
Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
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