Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options
Close NET

Proverbs 1:8-9
New English Translation

8 Listen,[a] my child,[b] to the instruction[c] from[d] your father,
and do not forsake the teaching[e] from[f] your mother.
9 For they will be like[g] an elegant[h] garland[i] on[j] your head,
and like[k] pendants[l] around[m] your neck.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:8 tn The imperative שְׁמַע (shemaʿ, “Listen!”) forms an urgent exhortation which expects immediate compliance with parental instruction.
  2. Proverbs 1:8 tn Heb “my son.” It is likely that collections of proverbs grew up in the royal courts and were designed for the training of the youthful prince. But once the collection was included in the canon, the term “son” would be expanded to mean a disciple, for all the people were to learn wisdom when young. It would not be limited to sons alone but would include daughters—as the expression “the children of (בְּנֵי, bene) Israel” (including males and females) clearly shows. Several passages in the Mishnah and Talmud record instructions to teach daughters the Mosaic law so that they will be righteous and avoid sin as well. The translation “my child,” although not entirely satisfactory, will be used here.
  3. Proverbs 1:8 tn Heb “training” or “discipline.” See note on 1:2.
  4. Proverbs 1:8 tn Heb “of.” The noun אָבִיךָ (ʾavikha, “of your father”) may be classified as a genitive of source.
  5. Proverbs 1:8 tn Heb “instruction.” In Proverbs the noun תּוֹרָה (torah) often means “instruction” or “moral direction” rather than “law” (BDB 435 s.v. 1.a). It is related to יָרָה (yarah, “to point [or, show] the way” in the Hiphil (BDB 435). Instruction attempts to point a person in the right direction (e.g., Gen 46:28).
  6. Proverbs 1:8 tn Heb “of.” The noun אִמֶּךָ (ʾimmekha, “of your mother”) may be classified as a genitive of source.
  7. Proverbs 1:9 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.
  8. Proverbs 1:9 tn Heb “a garland of grace.” The word חֵן (khen, “grace”) refers to qualities that make a person pleasant and agreeable, e.g., a gracious and charming person (BDB 336 s.v.). The metaphor compares the teachings that produce these qualities to an attractive wreath.
  9. Proverbs 1:9 tn The noun לִוְיַה (livyah, “wreath; garland”) refers to a headdress and appears only twice in the OT (Prov 1:9; 4:9; BDB 531 s.v.; HALOT 524 s.v.).
  10. Proverbs 1:9 tn Heb “for.”
  11. Proverbs 1:9 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.
  12. Proverbs 1:9 tn Cf. KJV, ASV “chains”; NIV “a chain”; but this English term could suggest a prisoner’s chain to the modern reader rather than adornment.
  13. Proverbs 1:9 tn Heb “for.”
Close WEB

Proverbs 1:8-9
World English Bible

8 My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:
9 for they will be a garland to grace your head,
    and chains around your neck.

Read full chapter
Next
Psalm 150
Proverbs 2
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 3:1-2
New English Translation

Exhortations to Seek Wisdom and Walk with the Lord[a]

3 My child,[b] do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep[c] my commandments,
2 for they will provide[d] a long and full life,[e]
and well-being[f] for you.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:1 sn The chapter begins with an introductory exhortation (1-4), followed by an admonition to be faithful to the Lord (5-12). Wisdom is commended as the most valuable possession (13-18), essential to creation (19-20), and the way to a long and safe life (21-26). There then follows a warning to avoid unneighborliness (27-30) and emulating the wicked (31-35).
  2. Proverbs 3:1 tn Heb “my son” (likewise in vv. 11, 21).
  3. Proverbs 3:1 tn The verb יִצֹּר (yitsor) is a Qal jussive and the noun לִבֶּךָ (libbekha, “your heart”) functions as the subject: “let your heart keep my commandments.”
  4. Proverbs 3:2 tn Heb “They will add to you.” The verb appears in the second half of the Hebrew line but has been moved to the beginning in the translation for the sake of smoothness.
  5. Proverbs 3:2 tn Heb “length of days and years of life” (so NASB, NRSV). The idiom “length of days” refers to a prolonged life and “years of life” signifies a long time full of life, a life worth living (T. T. Perowne, Proverbs, 51). The term “life” refers to “earthly felicity combined with spiritual blessedness” (BDB 313 s.v. חַיִּים).
  6. Proverbs 3:2 tn The noun שָׁלוֹם (shalom, “peace”) here means “welfare, health, prosperity” (BDB 1022 s.v. 3). It can be used of physical health and personal well-being. It is the experience of positive blessing and freedom from negative harm and catastrophe.
Close WEB

Proverbs 3:1-2
World English Bible

3 My son, don’t forget my teaching;
    but let your heart keep my commandments:
2 for they will add to you length of days,
    years of life, and peace.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 2
Proverbs 4
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 4:1-4
New English Translation

Admonition to Follow Righteousness and Avoid Wickedness[a]

4 Listen, children,[b] to a father’s instruction,[c]
and pay attention so that you may gain[d] discernment.
2 Because I hereby give[e] you good instruction,
do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a son to my father,[f]
a tender, only child[g] before my mother,
4 he taught me, and he said to me:
“Let your heart lay hold of my words;
keep my commands so that[h] you will live.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:1 sn The chapter includes an exhortation to acquire wisdom (1-4a), a list of the benefits of wisdom (4b-9), a call to pursue a righteous lifestyle (10-13), a warning against a wicked lifestyle (14-19), and an exhortation to righteousness (20-27).
  2. Proverbs 4:1 tn Heb “sons.” See note at 1:8.
  3. Proverbs 4:1 tn Or “warning.” See note at 1:2.
  4. Proverbs 4:1 tn Heb “in order to come to know.” As a stative verb, יָדַע (yadaʿ) can mean “to know” or “to come to know,” the latter essentially meaning “to learn.” The infinitive indicates the purpose of the earlier imperatives.
  5. Proverbs 4:2 tn The perfect tense has the nuance of instantaneous (or performative) perfect; the sage is now calling the disciples to listen. It could also be a perfect of resolve, indicating what he is determined to do, or a present perfect reflecting his proven past history, “Indeed I have given you X.”
  6. Proverbs 4:3 tn Or “a boy with my father.”
  7. Proverbs 4:3 tc The LXX introduces the ideas of “obedient” and “beloved” for these two terms. This seems to be a free rendering, if not a translation of a different Hebrew textual tradition. The MT makes good sense and requires no emendation.tn Heb “tender and only one.” The phrase רַךְ וְיָחִיד (rakh veyakhid, “tender and only one”) is a hendiadys meaning “tender only child.” The adjective רַךְ (rakh) means “tender; delicate” (BDB 940 s.v. רַךְ), and describes a lad who is young and undeveloped in character (e.g., 2 Sam 3:39). The adjective יָחִיד (yakhid) means “only one” (BDB 402 s.v. יָחִיד) and refers to a beloved and prized only child (e.g., Gen 22:2).
  8. Proverbs 4:4 tn The vav plus imperative “and live” expresses purpose, as is common with volitional verbs in a series.
Close WEB

Proverbs 4:1-4
World English Bible

4 Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction.
    Pay attention and know understanding;
2 for I give you sound learning.
    Don’t forsake my law.
3 For I was a son to my father,
    tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me, and said to me:
    “Let your heart retain my words.
    Keep my commandments, and live.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 3
Proverbs 5
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 10:1
New English Translation

The First Collection of Solomonic Proverbs[a]

10 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise child[b] makes a father rejoice,[c]

but a foolish child[d] is a grief to his mother.[e]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:1 sn Beginning with ch. 10 there is a difference in the form of the material contained in the book of Proverbs. No longer are there long admonitions, but the actual proverbs, short aphorisms dealing with right or wrong choices. Other than a few similar themes grouped together here and there, there is no arrangement to the material as a whole. It is a long collection of approximately 400 proverbs.
  2. Proverbs 10:1 tn Heb “son.”
  3. Proverbs 10:1 tn The imperfect tense describes progressive or habitual action, translated here with an English present tense. These fit the nature of proverbs which are general maxims, and not necessarily absolutes or universal truths. One may normally expect to find what the proverb notes, and one should live according to its instructions in the light of those expectations, but one should not be surprised if from time to time there is an exception. The fact that there may be an exception does not diminish the need to live by the sayings.
  4. Proverbs 10:1 tn Heb “son.”
  5. Proverbs 10:1 tn Heb “grief of his mother.” The noun “grief” is in construct, and “mother” is an objective genitive. The saying declares that the consequences of wisdom or folly affects the parents.
Close WEB

Proverbs 10:1
World English Bible

10 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son makes a glad father;
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 9
Proverbs 11
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 13:22
New English Translation

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for[a] his grandchildren,
but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:22 sn In ancient Israel the idea of leaving an inheritance was a sign of God’s blessing; blessings extended to the righteous and not the sinners.
  2. Proverbs 13:22 sn In the ultimate justice of God, the wealth of the wicked goes to the righteous after death (e.g., Ps 49:10, 17).
Close WEB

Proverbs 13:22
World English Bible

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
    but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 12
Proverbs 14
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 15:20
New English Translation

20 A wise child[a] brings joy to his father,
but a foolish person[b] despises[c] his mother.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:20 tn Heb “son.”
  2. Proverbs 15:20 tn Heb “a fool of a man,” a genitive of specification.
  3. Proverbs 15:20 sn The proverb is almost the same as 10:1, except that “despises” replaces “grief.” This adds the idea of the callousness of the one who inflicts grief on his mother (D. Kidner, Proverbs [TOTC], 116).
Close WEB

Proverbs 15:20
World English Bible

20 A wise son makes a father glad,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 14
Proverbs 16
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 17:6
New English Translation

6 Grandchildren[a] are like[b] a crown[c] to the elderly,
and the glory[d] of children is their parents.[e]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:6 tn Heb “children of children [sons of sons].”
  2. Proverbs 17:6 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.
  3. Proverbs 17:6 sn The metaphor signifies that grandchildren are like a crown, that is, they are the “crowning glory” of life. The proverb comes from a culture that places great importance on the family in society and that values its heritage.
  4. Proverbs 17:6 tn The noun תִּפְאָרָת (tifʾarat) means “beauty; glory” (BDB 802 s.v.). In this passage “glory” seems to be identified with “glorying; boasting”; so a rendering that children are proud of their parents would be in order. Thus, “glory of children” would be a subjective genitive, the glorying that children do.”
  5. Proverbs 17:6 tc The LXX has inserted: “To the faithful belongs the whole world of wealth, but to the unfaithful not an obulus.” It was apparently some popular sentiment at the time.tn Heb “their fathers.”
Close WEB

Proverbs 17:6
World English Bible

6 Children’s children are the crown of old men;
    the glory of children are their parents.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 16
Proverbs 18
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 17:21
New English Translation

21 Whoever brings a fool[a] into the world[b] does so[c] to his grief,
and the father of a fool has no joy.[d]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:21 sn Here the Hebrew terms כְּסִיל (kesil) and נָבָל (naval) are paired. The first one, which occurs about fifty times in the book, refers to a dullard, whether it be in spiritual, intellectual, or moral matters. The second word, rare in the book, primarily focuses on religious folly—it refers to the practical atheist, the one who lives as if there is no God.
  2. Proverbs 17:21 tn The form simply means “bears” or “gives birth to,” but since it is masculine it could be rendered “fathers” (cf. NASB “he who begets a fool”; NIV “To have a fool for a son”). The form for “fool” is masculine, but the proverb is not limited only to male children (cf. NCV “It is sad to have a foolish child”).
  3. Proverbs 17:21 tn The phrase “does so” is supplied for the sake of clarification.
  4. Proverbs 17:21 sn Parents of fools, who had hoped for children who would be a credit to the family, find only bitter disappointment (cf. TEV “nothing but sadness and sorrow”).
Close WEB

Proverbs 17:21
World English Bible

21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves.
    The father of a fool has no joy.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 16
Proverbs 18
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 17:25
New English Translation

25 A foolish child is a grief[a] to his father,
and bitterness to the mother who bore him.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:25 sn The Hebrew noun means “vexation, anger, grief.”
  2. Proverbs 17:25 tn Heb “to the one who bore him.” Because the participle is feminine singular in Hebrew, this has been translated as “the mother who bore him.”sn The proverb is similar to v. 21, 10:1, and 15:20.
Close WEB

Proverbs 17:25
World English Bible

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father,
    and bitterness to her who bore him.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 16
Proverbs 18
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 19:13
New English Translation

13 A foolish child[a] is the ruin of his father,
and a contentious wife[b] is like[c] a constant dripping.[d]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:13 tn Heb “a foolish son” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, CEV); NRSV “a stupid child.”
  2. Proverbs 19:13 tn Heb “the contentions of a wife” (so KJV, NASB); NAB “the nagging of a wife.” The genitive could be interpreted (1) as genitive of source or subjective genitive—she is quarreling; or (2) it could be a genitive of specification, making the word “contentions” a modifier, as in the present translation.
  3. Proverbs 19:13 tn Heb “is a constant dripping.” The term “like” does not appear in the Hebrew but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity. The metaphor pictures water dropping (perhaps rain through the roof, cf. NRSV, CEV) in a continuous flow: It is annoying and irritating (e.g., Prov 27:15-16).
  4. Proverbs 19:13 tc The LXX makes this moralistic statement for 13b: “vows paid out of hire of a harlot are not pure.” It is not based on the MT and attempts to reconstruct a text using this have been unsuccessful.
Close WEB

Proverbs 19:13
World English Bible

13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father.
    A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 18
Proverbs 20
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 19:18
New English Translation

18 Discipline your child, for[a] there is hope,
but do not set your heart on causing his death.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:18 tn The translation understands כִּי (ki) as causal. Some prefer to take כִּי as temporal and translate, “while there is hope” (so KJV, NASB, NCV, NRSV, NLT), meaning that discipline should be administered when the child is young and easily guided. In the causal reading of כִּי, the idea seems to be that children should be disciplined because change is possible due to their youth and the fact that they are not set in their ways.
  2. Proverbs 19:18 tc The word הֲמִיתוֹ (hamito) is the Hiphil infinitive construct of מוּת (mut, “to die”) plus third masculine singular suffix, “to cause/allow his death.” The LXX gives “do not lift up your soul to excess,” perhaps having read חֵמוֹת (khemot, “anger, rage”) with a ח (het) instead of a ה (he) and without the suffix. The KJV rendered as “let not thy soul spare for his crying.” Perhaps they read as if from the similar sounding root מוּט (mut, “to shudder,” as in “at making him shudder”) or from the verb הָמָה (hamah, “to murmur, be in commotion”), whose Qal infinitive construct with suffix would be הֲמוֹתוֹ (hamoto). It is not clear that either of these latter roots should be associated with crying.tn The expression “lift up your soul” is unclear. It may mean “to set your heart on something” as in determining to do it, perhaps even determining a course of action that leads to unintended results. Or it may mean “to remove your soul from something,” as in withdrawing from a course of action. Several possibilities arise for understanding this verse. The two most likely are to “not set your heart on causing (i.e., contributing to) his death” or to “not withdraw your soul [from disciplining as you should] resulting in causing his death.” These have the same effect of warning against failing to discipline to the ruin of the undisciplined child. T. Longman calls this the most natural reading, consistent with Prov 23:13-14 (Proverbs 370). Less likely, it may warn against being extreme in punishment (any capital punishment should go before the elders, see Deut 21:18-21).
Close WEB

Proverbs 19:18
World English Bible

18 Discipline your son, for there is hope;
    don’t be a willing party to his death.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 18
Proverbs 20
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 19:26
New English Translation

26 The one who robs[a] his father[b] and chases away his mother
is a son[c] who brings shame and disgrace.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:26 tn The construction joins the Piel participle מְשַׁדֶּד (meshadded, “one who robs”) with the Hiphil imperfect יַבְרִיחַ (yavriakh, “causes to flee” = chases away). The imperfect given a progressive imperfect nuance matches the timeless description of the participle as a substantive.
  2. Proverbs 19:26 sn “Father” and “mother” here represent a stereotypical word pair in the book of Proverbs, rather than describing separate crimes against each individual parent. Both crimes are against both parents.
  3. Proverbs 19:26 tn The more generic “child” does not fit the activities described in this verse and so “son” is retained in the translation. In the ancient world a “son” was more likely than a daughter to behave as stated. Such behavior may reflect the son wanting to take over his father’s lands prematurely.
Close WEB

Proverbs 19:26
World English Bible

26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother
    is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 18
Proverbs 20
Next
Previous Next
Close NET

Proverbs 20:7
New English Translation

7 The righteous person[a] behaves in integrity;[b]
blessed are his children after him.[c]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:7 sn Two terms describe the subject of this proverb: “righteous” and “integrity.” The first describes the person as a member of the covenant community who strives to live according to God’s standards; the second emphasizes that his lifestyle is blameless.
  2. Proverbs 20:7 tn Heb “walks in his integrity” (so NASB); cf. NIV “leads a blameless life.” The Hitpael participle of הָלַךְ (halakh) means “to walk about; to walk to and fro.” The idiom of walking representing living is intensified here in this stem. This verbal stem is used in scripture to describe people “walking with” God.
  3. Proverbs 20:7 sn The nature and the actions of parents have an effect on children (e.g., Exod 20:4-6); if the parents are righteous, the children will enjoy a blessing—the respect and the happiness which the parent reflects on them.
Close WEB

Proverbs 20:7
World English Bible

7 A righteous man walks in integrity.
    Blessed are his children after him.

Read full chapter
Next
Proverbs 19
Proverbs 21
Next
dropdown
New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name "World English Bible" is trademarked.