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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
American Standard Version
Proverbs 20:5
American Standard Version
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;
But a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 20:18
New English Translation
Proverbs 20:18
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:18 tn The noun form is plural, but the verb is singular, suggesting either an abstract plural or a collective plural is being used here.
- Proverbs 20:18 tn The clause begins with vav (ו) on “with guidance.” But the clause has an imperative for its main verb. One could take the imperfect tense in the first colon as an imperfect of injunction, and then this clause would be also instructional. But the imperfect tense is a Niphal, and so it is better to take the first colon as the foundational clause and the second colon as the consequence (cf. NAB): If that is true, then you should do this.
- Proverbs 20:18 sn There have been attempts by various commentators to take “war” figuratively to mean life’s struggles, litigation, or evil inclinations. But there is no need and little justification for such interpretations. The proverb simply describes the necessity of taking counsel before going to war.
Proverbs 20:18
American Standard Version
Proverbs 20:18
American Standard Version
18 Every purpose is established by counsel;
And by wise guidance make thou war.
Proverbs 23:9
New English Translation
Proverbs 23:9
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:9 sn The mention of “the ears” emphasizes the concerted effort to get the person’s undivided attention. However, a fool rejects instruction and discipline.
- Proverbs 23:9 sn Saying number nine indicates that wisdom is wasted on a fool. The literature of Egypt has no specific parallel to this one.
Proverbs 23:9
American Standard Version
Proverbs 23:9
American Standard Version
9 Speak not in the hearing of a fool;
For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Proverbs 27:9
New English Translation
Proverbs 27:9
New English Translation
9 Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice,[a]
likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 27:9 sn The first line of the proverb provides the emblem to the parallel point. The emblem is the joy that anointing oil (ointment) and incense bring, and the point is the value of the advice of a friend.
- Proverbs 27:9 tn Some think the MT is unintelligible as it stands: “The sweetness of his friend from the counsel of the soul.” The Latin version has “the soul is sweetened by the good counsels of a friend.” D. W. Thomas suggests, “counsels of a friend make sweet the soul” (“Notes on Some Passages in the Book of Proverbs,” VT 15 [1965]: 275). G. R. Driver suggests, “the counsel of a friend is sweeter than one’s own advice” (literally, “more than the counsel of the soul”). He also suggests “more than of fragrant wood.” See G. R. Driver, “Hebrew Notes,” ZAW 52 (1934): 54; idem, “Suggestions and Objections,” ZAW 55 (1937): 69-70. The LXX reads “and the soul is rent by misfortunes.” The MT, for want of better or more convincing readings, may be interpreted to mean something like “[Just as] ointment and incense brings joy to the heart, [so] the sweetness of one’s friend [comes] from his sincere counsel.”
Proverbs 27:9
American Standard Version
Proverbs 27:9
American Standard Version
9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart;
So doth the sweetness of a man’s friend that cometh of hearty counsel.
New English Translation (NET)
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