Font Size
Proverbs 17:24
New English Translation
Proverbs 17:24
New English Translation
24 Wisdom is directly in front of[a] the discerning person,
but the eyes of a fool run[b] to the ends of the earth.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:24 tn The verse begins with אֶת־פְּנֵי מֵבִין (ʾet pene mevin), “before the discerning” or “the face of the discerning.” The particle אֶת here is simply drawing emphasis to the predicate (IBHS 182-83 §10.3.2b). Cf. NIV “A discerning man keeps wisdom in view.”
- Proverbs 17:24 tn The term “run” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied for the sake of clarification.
- Proverbs 17:24 sn To say that “the eyes of the fool run to the ends of the earth” means that he has no power to concentrate and cannot focus his attention on anything. The language is hyperbolic. Cf. NCV “the mind of a fool wanders everywhere.”
Proverbs 17:24
New Living Translation
Proverbs 17:24
New Living Translation
24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 18:15
New English Translation
Proverbs 18:15
New English Translation
Read full chapter
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:15 tn Heb “discerning mind.” The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) is a synecdoche of part (= heart/mind) for the whole (= person); cf. TEV, NLT “intelligent people.” Placing “heart” and “ear” in parallel encompasses more of the process of acquiring knowledge. The ear listens for and to instruction, and the mind considers what is heard to acquire knowledge.
- Proverbs 18:15 tn Heb “the ear of the wise.” The term “ear” is a synecdoche of part (= ear) for the whole (= person): “wise person.” sn The wise continually seek more knowledge. D. Kidner says, “Those who know most know best how little they know” (Proverbs [TOTC], 129).
- Proverbs 18:15 sn This line features a mixed metaphor: The “ear” is pictured “seeking.” The wise person is listening for (on the lookout for) things worth listening to in the pursuit of knowledge.
Proverbs 18:15
New Living Translation
Proverbs 18:15
New Living Translation
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
Their ears are open for knowledge.
Proverbs 19:8
New English Translation
Proverbs 19:8
New English Translation
8 The one who acquires understanding[a] loves himself;[b]
the one who preserves understanding will prosper.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:8 tn The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) is used as a metonymy of association for what one does with the mind (thinking), and so refers to discernment, wisdom, good sense. Most English versions translate as “wisdom” or “sense” but cf. NAB “intelligence.”
- Proverbs 19:8 tn Heb “his own soul.” The expression “loves his soul” means that he is paying attention to his needs or taking care of his life (cf. NAB “is his own best friend”). This expression works with its parallel to provide the whole idea: “loving the soul” is the metonymy of the cause for prospering, and “prospering” is the metonymy of the effect (of loving).
- Proverbs 19:8 tn Heb “finds good” (similar KJV, NASB); NCV “will succeed.” The MT reads לִמְצֹא (limtsoʾ), a Qal infinitive construct. The LXX (as well as the other major early versions) renders it as a future, which reflects a Vorlage of יִמְצָא (yimtsaʾ). The infinitive is used here in a modal sense, meaning “is destined to” or “is certain of” finding good in life.
Proverbs 19:8
New Living Translation
Proverbs 19:8
New Living Translation
8 To acquire wisdom is to love yourself;
people who cherish understanding will prosper.
Proverbs 20:5
New English Translation
Proverbs 20:5
New English Translation
5 Counsel[a] in a person’s heart[b] is like[c] deep water,[d]
but an understanding person[e] draws it out.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:5 sn The noun means “advice, counsel”; it can have the connotation of planning or making decisions. Those with understanding can sort out plans.
- Proverbs 20:5 tn The Hebrew term לֶב (lev) refers to the “mind” (NRSV) as well as the “heart” (KJV, NIV, NASB). The expression refers to unspoken thoughts.
- Proverbs 20:5 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied for the sake of clarity.
- Proverbs 20:5 sn The motives or plans of a person are “difficult to fathom”; it takes someone with understanding to discover and surface them (the verb in the last colon continues the figure with the sense of bringing the plans to the surface and sorting them out).
- Proverbs 20:5 tn Heb “a man of understanding”; TEV “someone with insight”; NLT “the wise.”
Proverbs 20:5
New Living Translation
Proverbs 20:5
New Living Translation
5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart,
a person with understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 20:12
New English Translation
Proverbs 20:12
New English Translation
Read full chapter
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:12 sn The first half of the verse refers to two basic senses that the Lord has given to people. C. H. Toy, however, thinks that they represent all the faculties (Proverbs [ICC], 388). But in the book of Proverbs seeing and hearing come to the fore. By usage, “hearing” also means obeying (15:31; 25:12), and “seeing” also means perceiving and understanding (Isa 6:9-10).
- Proverbs 20:12 sn The verse not only credits God with making these faculties of hearing and sight and giving them to people, but it also emphasizes their spiritual use in God’s service.
Proverbs 20:12
New Living Translation
Proverbs 20:12
New Living Translation
12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—
both are gifts from the Lord.
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 28:7
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.
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
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.