Proverbs 24:13-14
New English Translation
13 Eat honey,[a] my child, for it is good,
and honey from the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.
14 Likewise, know[b] that wisdom is sweet[c] to your soul;
if you have found it,[d] you have a future,[e]
and your hope will not be cut off.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:13 sn The twenty-sixth saying teaches that one should develop wisdom because it has a profitable future. The saying draws on the image of honey; its health-giving properties make a good analogy to wisdom.
- Proverbs 24:14 tn D. W. Thomas argues for a meaning of “seek” in place of “know” (“Notes on Some Passages in the Book of Proverbs,” JTS 38 [1937]: 400-403).
- Proverbs 24:14 tn The phrase “is sweet” is supplied in the translation as a clarification.
- Proverbs 24:14 tn The term “it” is supplied in the translation.
- Proverbs 24:14 tn Heb “there will be an אַחֲרִית (ʾakharit), which means “end, result, following period.” It suggests a future, which may imply posterity. It is sometimes connected with hope (Jer 29:11: 31:17; Prov 23:18).
Proverbs 24:13-14
International Standard Version
13 My son, eat honey, because it’s good for you;[a]
indeed, drippings from the honeycomb are sweet to your taste;
14 Keep in mind that wisdom is like that for your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future for you,
and what you hope for won’t be cut short.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:13 The Heb. lacks for you
Proverbs 28:16
New English Translation
16 The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom,[a]
but the one who hates[b] unjust gain will prolong his days.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:16 tn Heb “A prince lacking of understanding [is] also a great oppressor” (both KJV, ASV similar) The last clause, “and a great oppressor,” appears to modify “the prince.” There is little difference in meaning, only in emphasis. The LXX has “lacks income” (reading תְּבוּאוֹת [tevuʾot] instead of תְּבוּנוֹת [tevunot]). C. H. Toy (Proverbs [ICC], 501) suggests deleting the word for “prince” altogether, but this emendation is gratuitous.
- Proverbs 28:16 tc This follows the Qere reading of the participle which is singular (as opposed to the plural). The implication is that this one is also a ruler, paralleling the first half. But since he “hates” (= rejects) unjust gain he will extend [his] days, meaning he will enjoy a long and happy life (cf. NIV, NRSV, CEV).
Proverbs 28:16
International Standard Version
16 A Commander-in-Chief[a] who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding,
but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:16 Lit. Nagid; i.e. a senior officer entrusted with dual roles of operational oversight and administrative authority
- Proverbs 28:16 Lit. will lengthen his days
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