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Proverbs 1:19
New English Translation
Proverbs 1:19
New English Translation
19 Such[a] are the ways[b] of all who gain profit unjustly;[c]
it[d] takes away the life[e] of those who obtain it![f]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:19 tn The exclamation כֵּן (ken, “so; thus; such”) marks a conclusion (BDB 485 s.v.). It draws a comparison between the destruction of the wicked in v. 18 and the concluding statement in v. 19.
- Proverbs 1:19 tc The MT reads אָרְחוֹת (ʾorkhot, “paths; ways” as a figure for mode of life): “so are the ways [or, paths] of all who gain profit unjustly.” The BHS editors suggest emending the text to אַחֲרִית (ʾakharit, “end” as figure for their fate) by simple metathesis between ח (khet) and ר (resh) and by orthographic confusion between י (yod) and ו (vav), both common scribal errors: “so is the fate of all who gain profit unjustly.” The external evidence supports MT, which is also the more difficult reading. It adequately fits the context which uses “way” and “path” imagery throughout 1:10-19.
- Proverbs 1:19 tn Heb “those who unjustly gain unjust gain.” The participle בֹּצֵעַ (botseaʿ, “those who unjustly gain”) is followed by the cognate accusative of the same root בָּצַע (batsaʿ, “unjust gain”) to underscore the idea that they gained their wealth through heinous criminal activity. sn The verb followed by the cognate noun usually means seeking gain in an unjust way (1 Sam 8:3), or for selfish purposes (Gen 37:26), or gaining by violence. The word may have the sense of covetousness.
- Proverbs 1:19 tn The subject of the verb is the noun בָּצַע (batsaʿ, “unjust gain”), which is also the referent of the third person masculine singular suffix on בְּעָלָיו (beʿalav, “its owners”). Greed takes away the life of those who live by greed (e.g., 15:27; 26:27). See G. R. Driver, “Problems in the Hebrew Text of Proverbs,” Bib 32 (1951): 173-74.
- Proverbs 1:19 tn The term נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, “soul”) is used as a metonymy (= soul) of association (= life). The noun נֶפֶשׁ often refers to physical “life” (Exod 21:23; Num 17:3; Judg 5:18; Prov 12:10; BDB 659 s.v. 3.c).
- Proverbs 1:19 tn Heb “its owners.”
Proverbs 1:19
International Standard Version
Proverbs 1:19
International Standard Version
19 Such is the way of all those who seek illicit gain—
it takes away the lives of those who possess it.
Proverbs 3:14
New English Translation
Proverbs 3:14
New English Translation
14 For her[a] benefit[b] is more profitable[c] than silver,
and her[d] gain[e] is better[f] than gold.
Footnotes
- 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 3:14
International Standard Version
Proverbs 3:14
International Standard Version
14 because her profit is better than the profit of silver,
and her yield than fine gold.
Proverbs 10:16
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:16
New English Translation
16 The reward[a] that the righteous receive[b] is life;
the recompense[c] that the wicked receive[d] is judgment.[e]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:16 tn Heb “recompense” (so NAB); NASB, NIV “wages.” The noun פְּעֻלַּה (peʿullah) has a two-fold range of meanings: (1) “work; deed” and (2) “reward; recompense” (BDB 821 s.v.). There is a clear correlation between a person’s conduct and its consequences. Rewards are determined by moral choices. What one receives in life depends on the use of gifts and a righteous character.
- Proverbs 10:16 tn Heb “the recompense of the righteous.”
- Proverbs 10:16 tn Heb “harvest.” The term תְּבוּאַת (tevuʾat, “harvest; yield”) is used figuratively here (hypocatastasis), drawing an implied comparison between the agricultural yield of a farmer’s labors with the consequences of the actions of the wicked. They will “reap” (= judgment) what they “sow” (= sin).
- Proverbs 10:16 tn Heb “the harvest of the wicked.”
- Proverbs 10:16 tn Heb “sin.” The term חַטָּאת (khattaʾt, “sin”) functions as a metonymy of cause (= sin) for effect (= punishment). In contrast to the righteous who receive a reward, the wicked receive punishment for their sin (cf. NASB, NIV, NCV). See D. W. Thomas, “The Meaning of חַטָּאת in Proverbs X.16, ” JTS 15 (1964): 295-96.
Proverbs 10:16
International Standard Version
Proverbs 10:16
International Standard Version
16 Honorable wages lead[a] to life;
the salaries of the wicked, to retribution.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:16 The Heb. lacks lead
Proverbs 11:28
New English Translation
Proverbs 11:28
New English Translation
28 The one who trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous[a] will flourish like a green leaf.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:28 sn The implication from the parallelism is that the righteous do not trust in their own riches, but in the Lord.
- Proverbs 11:28 tn Heb “leafage” or “leaf” (cf. KJV “as a branch”); TEV “leaves of summer”; NLT “leaves in spring.” The simile of a leaf is a figure of prosperity and fertility throughout the ancient Near East.
Proverbs 11:28
International Standard Version
Proverbs 11:28
International Standard Version
28 The person who trusts in his wealth will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.
Proverbs 20:15
New English Translation
Proverbs 20:15
New English Translation
15 There is gold, and an abundance of rubies,
but[a] words of knowledge[b] are like[c] a precious jewel.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:15 tn The verse is usually taken as antithetical parallelism: There may be gold and rubies but the true gem is knowledge. However, C. H. Toy arranges it differently: “store of gold and wealth of corals and precious vessels—all are wise lips” (Proverbs [ICC], 388). But this uses the gems as metaphors for wise speech, and does not stress the contrast between wealth and wisdom.
- Proverbs 20:15 tn Heb “lips of knowledge.” The term “lips” is a metonymy for speaking, and “knowledge” could be either an attributive genitive or objective genitive: “knowledgeable lips.” Lips that impart knowledge are the true jewel to be sought.
- Proverbs 20:15 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 20:15
International Standard Version
Proverbs 20:15
International Standard Version
15 There is an abundance of gold and precious stones,
but lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
Proverbs 22:1
New English Translation
Proverbs 22:1
New English Translation
22 A good name[a] is to be chosen[b] rather than great wealth,
good favor[c] more than silver or gold.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 22:1 tn Heb “a name.” The idea of the name being “good” is implied; it has the connotation here of a reputation (cf. TEV, CEV, NLT).
- Proverbs 22:1 tn “To be chosen rather than” is a translation of the Niphal participle with the comparative degree taken into consideration. Cf. CEV “worth much more than.”
- Proverbs 22:1 tn Heb “favor of goodness.” This is a somewhat difficult expression. Some English versions render the phrase “favor is better than silver or gold” (so NASB, NRSV) making it parallel to the first colon. But if “good” is retained as an attributive modifier, then it would mean one was well thought of, or one had engaging qualities (cf. ASV “loving favor; NLT “high esteem”). This fits with the idea of the reputation in the first colon, for a good name would bring with it the favor of others.
Proverbs 22:1
International Standard Version
Proverbs 22:1
International Standard Version
Advice for Everyday Life
22 A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth,
and favorable acceptance more than silver and gold.
New English Translation (NET)
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