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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
Expanded Bible
Proverbs 23:9
Expanded Bible
9 Don’t speak in the ears of fools [Matt. 7:6];
they will only ·ignore [despise] your ·wise [insightful] words.
Proverbs 25:12
New English Translation
Proverbs 25:12
New English Translation
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold,[a]
so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:12 sn This saying is another example of emblematic parallelism; the first half is the simile, and the second half makes the point from it: A wise rebuke that is properly received is of lasting value. The rebuke in the ear of an obedient student is like ornaments of fine jewelry.
- Proverbs 25:12 tn The “ear of the listener” refers to the obedient disciple, the one who complies with the reproof he hears. Cf. KJV, ASV, NAB “an obedient ear.”
Proverbs 25:12
Expanded Bible
Proverbs 25:12
Expanded Bible
12 A wise ·warning [correction] to ·someone who will listen [L a listening ear]
is as valuable as gold earrings or fine gold jewelry.
Proverbs 27:5-6
New English Translation
Proverbs 27:5-6
New English Translation
5 Better is open[a] rebuke
than hidden[b] love.
6 Faithful[c] are the wounds of a friend,
but the kisses[d] of an enemy are excessive.[e]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 27:5 tn Heb “revealed” or “uncovered” (Pual participle from גָּלָה, galah). This would specify the reproof or rebuke as direct, honest, and frank, whether it was coming from a friend or an enemy.
- Proverbs 27:5 tn The Hebrew term translated “hidden” (a Pual participle from סָתַר, satar) refers to a love that is carefully concealed; this is contrasted with the open rebuke in the first line. What is described, then, is someone too timid, too afraid, or not trusting enough to admit that reproof is a genuine part of love (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 610). It is a love that is not expressed in proper concern for the one loved. See also, e.g., 28:23 and 29:3.
- Proverbs 27:6 tn The Niphal participle of אָמַן (ʾaman) means “faithful; reliable; sure; trustworthy.” The word indicates that the wounds from a friend “can be trusted” (so NIV, NCV) because they are meant to correct and not to destroy (e.g., 25:12; Deut 7:9; Job 12:20).
- Proverbs 27:6 sn “Kisses” probably represents a metonymy of adjunct; the term describes any expressions or indications of affection. But coming from an enemy, they will be insincere—as indicated by their excessive number.
- Proverbs 27:6 tn The form is נַעְתָּרוֹת (naʿtarot), the Niphal participle of עָתַר (ʿatar, “to be abundant”). Contemporary translations render this rare form in a number of different ways: “deceitful” (NASB, NKJV); “profuse” (NRSV); “many” (NLT). But the idea of “excessive” or “numerous” fits very well. The kisses of an enemy cannot be trusted, no matter how often they are presented.
Proverbs 27:5-6
Expanded Bible
Proverbs 27:5-6
Expanded Bible
5 It is better to correct someone ·openly [publicly]
than to have love and ·not show [hide] it.
6 The ·slap [bruises] of a friend can be trusted to help you,
but the kisses of an enemy are ·nothing but lies [or dangerous; Matt. 26:48–50].
Proverbs 27:17
New English Translation
Proverbs 27:17
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 27:17 tn The term “as” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation to clarify the comparison.
- Proverbs 27:17 tn BDB classifies the verb in the first colon as a Qal apocopated jussive of I חָדָה (khadah, “to grow sharp”; BDB 292 s.v.), and the verb in the second half of the verse (יַחַד, yakhad) as a Hiphil apocopated jussive. The difference would be: “let iron by means of iron grow sharp, and let a man sharpen the countenance of his friend.” But it makes more sense to take them both as Hiphil forms, the first being in pause. Other suggestions have been put forward for the meaning of the word, but the verb “sharpens” fits the context the best, and is followed by most English versions. The verb may be a shortened form of the imperfect rather than a jussive.
- Proverbs 27:17 tn Heb “and a man,” although the context does not indicate this should be limited to males only.
- Proverbs 27:17 tn Heb “sharpens the face of his friend.” The use of the word “face” (cf. KJV, ASV “countenance”) would here emphasize that it is the personality or character that is being sharpened. Constructive criticism sharpens character. Use of the wits in interaction that makes two people sharp as a razor (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 615); another example, from the Talmud, is that of two students sharpening each other in the study of the Torah (b. Ta’anit 7a).
Proverbs 27:17
Expanded Bible
Proverbs 27:17
Expanded Bible
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so people ·can improve each other [sharpen their friends].
Proverbs 29:1
New English Translation
Proverbs 29:1
New English Translation
29 The one who stiffens his neck[a] after numerous rebukes[b]
will suddenly be destroyed[c] without remedy.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:1 tn The idiom “to harden the neck” (מַקְשֶׁה־עֹרֶף, maqsheh ʿoref) is the idea of resisting the rebukes and persisting in obstinacy (e.g., Exod 32:9). The opposite of a “stiff neck” would be the bending back, i.e., submission.
- Proverbs 29:1 tn The Hebrew construction is אִישׁ תּוֹכָחוֹת (ʾish tokhakhot, “a man of rebukes”), meaning “a man who has (or receives) many rebukes.” This describes a person who is deserving of punishment and who has been given many warnings. The text says, then, “a man of rebukes hardening himself.”
- Proverbs 29:1 sn The stubborn person refuses to listen; he will suddenly be destroyed when the calamity strikes (e.g., Prov 6:15; 13:18; 15:10).
- Proverbs 29:1 tn Or “healing” (NRSV).
Proverbs 29:1
Expanded Bible
Proverbs 29:1
Expanded Bible
29 Whoever is ·stubborn [L stiff-necked] after being corrected many times
will suddenly be ·hurt [broken] beyond ·cure [healing].
New English Translation (NET)
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Expanded Bible (EXB)
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