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Proverbs 2:20
New English Translation
Proverbs 2:20
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 2:20 tn The conjunction לְמַעַן (lemaʿan, “so; as a result”) introduces the concluding result (BDB 775 s.v. מַעַן 2; HALOT 614 s.v. מַעַן 2.c) of heeding the admonition to attain wisdom (2:1-11) and to avoid the evil men and women and their destructive ways (2:12-19).
- Proverbs 2:20 tn The noun “good” (טוֹבִים, tovim) does not function as an attributive genitive (“the good way”) because it is a plural noun and the term “way” (דֶרֶךְ, derekh) is singular. Rather it functions as a genitive of possession identifying the people who walk on this path: “the way of the good people.”
- Proverbs 2:20 tn In the light of the parallelism, the noun “righteous” (צַדִּיקִים, tsaddiqim) functions as a genitive of possession rather than an attributive genitive.
Proverbs 2:20
English Standard Version
Proverbs 2:20
English Standard Version
20 So you will walk in the way of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
Proverbs 9:9
New English Translation
Proverbs 9:9
New English Translation
9 Give instruction[a] to a wise person,[b] and he will become wiser still;
teach[c] a righteous person and he will add to his[d] learning.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:9 tn Heb “Give to the wise.” The object, “instruction” (or possibly rebuke), is implied. Most translations either supply the object (NIV, NLT, Holman) or change the verb to “instruct” (NASB, ESV, NKJV, NRSV).
- Proverbs 9:9 sn The parallelism shows what Proverbs will repeatedly stress, that the wise person is the righteous person.
- Proverbs 9:9 tn The Hiphil verb normally means “to cause to know, make known,” but here the context suggests “to teach” (so many English versions).
- Proverbs 9:9 tn The term “his” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied for the sake of smoothness and clarity.
Proverbs 9:9
English Standard Version
Proverbs 9:9
English Standard Version
9 Give instruction[a] to a wise man, and he will be (A)still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will (B)increase in learning.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:9 Hebrew lacks instruction
Proverbs 10:6
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:6
New English Translation
6 Blessings[a] are on the head of the righteous,
but the speech[b] of the wicked conceals[c] violence.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:6 sn The word “blessings” has the sense of gifts, enrichments, that is, the rewards or the results of being righteous. The blessings come either from the people the righteous deal with, or from God. CEV understands the blessings as praise for good behavior (“Everyone praises good people”).
- Proverbs 10:6 tn Heb “the mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech.
- Proverbs 10:6 tn Heb “covers.” Behind the speech of the wicked is aggressive violence (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 422).
- Proverbs 10:6 tn The syntax of this line is ambiguous. The translation takes “the mouth of the wicked” as the nominative subject and “violence” as the accusative direct object; however, the subject might be “violence,” hence: “violence covers the mouth of the wicked” (cf. KJV, ASV, NIV).
Proverbs 10:6
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:6
English Standard Version
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:6 Or but violence covers the mouth of the wicked; also verse 11
Proverbs 10:11
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:11
New English Translation
11 The speech[a] of the righteous is a fountain of life,[b]
but the speech[c] of the wicked conceals[d] violence.[e]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “mouth.” The word “mouth” is metonymy of cause, representing what the righteous say and teach.
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “a fountain of life is the mouth of the righteous” (NAB similar). The subject (“a fountain of life”) and the predicate (“the mouth of the righteous”) in the Hebrew text are reversed in the present translation (as in most English versions) for the sake of clarity and smoothness. The idea of this metaphor, “the fountain of life,” may come from Ps 36:9 (e.g., also Prov 13:14; 14:27; 16:22). What the righteous say is beneficial to life or life-giving. Their words are life-giving but the words of the wicked are violent. See R. B. Y. Scott, “Wise and Foolish, Righteous and Wicked,” VT 29 (1972): 145-65.
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “the mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech.
- Proverbs 10:11 tn Heb “covers.” Behind the speech of the wicked is aggressive violence (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 422).
- Proverbs 10:11 tn The syntax of this line is ambiguous. The translation takes “the mouth of the wicked” as the nominative subject and “violence” as the accusative direct object; however, the subject might be “violence,” hence: “violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”
Proverbs 10:11
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:11
English Standard Version
11 (A)The mouth of the righteous is (B)a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked (C)conceals violence.
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
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:16
English Standard Version
16 The wage of the righteous leads (A)to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
Proverbs 10:20
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:20
New English Translation
20 What the righteous say[a] is like[b] the best[c] silver,
but what the wicked think[d] is of little value.[e]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:20 tn Heb “the lips of the righteous.” The term “lips” functions as a metonymy of cause for speech. This contrasts the tongue (metonymy of cause for what they say) with the heart (metonymy of subject for what they intend). What the righteous say is more valuable than what the wicked intend.
- Proverbs 10:20 tn The comparative “like” is not in the Hebrew text but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
- Proverbs 10:20 tn Or “pure”; Heb “choice.”
- Proverbs 10:20 tn Heb “the heart of the wicked” (so KJV, NAB, NIV). The term “heart” functions as a metonymy of cause for thoughts. The term לֵב (lev, “heart”) often refers to the seat of thoughts, will and emotions (BDB 524 s.v. 3-4).
- Proverbs 10:20 tn Heb “like little.” This expression refers to what has little value: “little worth” (so KJV, NAB, NRSV; cf. BDB 590 s.v. מְעַט 2.d). The point of the metaphor is clarified by the parallelism: Silver is valuable; the heart of the wicked is worth little. Tg. Prov 10:20 says it was full of dross, a contrast with choice silver.
Proverbs 10:20
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:20
English Standard Version
20 The tongue of the righteous is (A)choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
Proverbs 10:21
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:21
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:21 tn Heb “lips.” The term “lips” functions as a metonymy of cause for what is said (or in this case taught).
- Proverbs 10:21 tn The verb רָעָה (raʿah) means “to feed” or “to shepherd” (e.g., Gen 48:15). What they say will meet the needs of many.
- Proverbs 10:21 tn In what sense the fool “dies” is unclear. Fools ruin their lives and the lives of others by their lack of discipline and knowledge. The contrast is between enhancing life and ruining life.
- Proverbs 10:21 tn The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) is used as a metonymy of association for what one does with the mind (i.e., thinking), and so refers to discernment, wisdom, good sense.
Proverbs 10:21
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:21
English Standard Version
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for (A)lack of sense.
Proverbs 10:24-25
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:24-25
New English Translation
24 What the wicked fears[a] will come on him;
what the righteous desire[b] will be granted.[c]
25 When the storm[d] passes through, the wicked are swept away,[e]
but the righteous are an everlasting foundation.[f]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:24 tn Heb “the dread of the wicked.” The noun רָשָׁע (rashaʿ, “wicked”) is a subjective genitive. The noun מְגוֹרַת (megorat) refers to “the feared thing,” that is, what the wicked dread. The wicked are afraid of the consequences of their sinful actions; however, they cannot escape these consequences.
- Proverbs 10:24 tn Heb “the desire of the righteous.” The noun צַדִּיק (tsadiq, “righteous”) is a subjective genitive.
- Proverbs 10:24 tn Heb “it will give.” When used without an expressed subject, the verb יִתֵּן (yitten) has a passive nuance: “it will be granted.”
- Proverbs 10:25 sn The word for “storm wind” comes from the root סוּף (suf, “to come to an end; to cease”). The noun may then describe the kind of storm that makes an end of things, a “whirlwind” (so KJV, NASB; NLT “cyclone”). It is used in prophetic passages that describe swift judgment and destruction.
- Proverbs 10:25 tn Heb “the wicked are not”; ASV, NAB, NASB “is no more.”
- Proverbs 10:25 tn Heb “a foundation forever”; NLT “have a lasting foundation.” sn The metaphor compares the righteous to an everlasting foundation to stress that they are secure when the catastrophes of life come along. He is fixed in a covenantal relationship and needs not to fear passing misfortunes. The wicked has no such security.
Proverbs 10:28
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:28
New English Translation
28 The hope[a] of the righteous is joy,
but the expectation of the wicked perishes.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:28 sn This proverb contrasts the hopes of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous will see their hopes fulfilled. The saying is concerned with God’s justice. The words תּוֹחֶלֶת (tokhelet, from יָחַל, yakhal) and תִּקְוַת (tiqvat, from קָוָה, qavah) are synonyms, both emphasizing eager expectations, longings, waiting in hope.
Proverbs 10:28
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:28
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:30-32
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:30-32
New English Translation
30 The righteous will never be moved,
but the wicked will not inhabit the land.[a]
31 The speech[b] of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom,[c]
but the one who speaks perversion[d] will be destroyed.[e]
32 The lips of the righteous know[f] what is pleasing,[g]
but the speech[h] of the wicked is perverse.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:30 sn This proverb concerns the enjoyment of covenant blessings—dwelling in the land of Israel. It is promised to the righteous for an eternal inheritance, and so the wicked cannot expect to settle there—they will be exiled.
- Proverbs 10:31 tn Heb “the mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech.
- Proverbs 10:31 tn Heb “bears wisdom.” The verb נוּב (nuv) means “to bear fruit.” It is used figuratively of the righteous; they produce wisdom and righteousness. The term חָכְמָה (khokhmah, “wisdom”) represents the “fruit” that the righteous bear: “they bear the fruit of wisdom” (BDB 626 s.v.).
- Proverbs 10:31 tn Heb “the tongue of perversions.” The noun תַּהְפֻּכוֹת (tahpukhot, “perversions”) functions as a genitive of content; it refers to what the tongue says—perverse things. The plural form depicts a plural of character. The term לָשׁוֹן (lashon, “tongue”) functions as a synecdoche of part (= tongue) for the whole person (= the speaker). The tongue is emphasized because this person is characterized by perverse speech. The term תַּהְפֻּכוֹת (“perversions”) refers to those who turn things upside down, overthrow, or pervert what is right.
- Proverbs 10:31 tn Heb “will be cut off” (so NAB, NRSV, NLT); cf. KJV, NASB, NIV “cut out.” Their tongue will be cut off, a hyperbole meaning to bring to an end the evil that they speak.
- Proverbs 10:32 sn The verb “know” applied to “lips” is unusual. “Lips” is a metonymy for what the righteous say; and their words “know” (a personification) what is pleasing, i.e., they are acquainted with.
- Proverbs 10:32 sn The righteous say what is pleasing, acceptable, or delightful, but the wicked say perverse and destructive things.
- Proverbs 10:32 tn Heb “lips.” The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause for what is said.
Proverbs 10:30-32
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:30-32
English Standard Version
30 (A)The righteous will never be removed,
but (B)the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31 (C)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous (D)know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, (E)what is perverse.
Proverbs 11:8-10
New English Translation
Proverbs 11:8-10
New English Translation
8 A righteous person was delivered[a] out of trouble,
then a wicked person took his place.[b]
9 With his speech[c] the godless person[d] destroys[e] his neighbor,
but by knowledge[f] the righteous will be delivered.
10 When the righteous do well,[g] the city rejoices;[h]
when the wicked perish, there is joy.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:8 tn The verb is the Niphal perfect from the first root חָלַץ (khalats), meaning “to draw off; to withdraw,” and hence “to be delivered.” The saying uses a perfect verb for past time followed by a preterite with vav consecutive. In so doing, the perspective of the proverb is that of a sage telling the student of a situation which has happened, and is prototypical of what will happen again.
- Proverbs 11:8 tn Heb “The wicked came [= arrived] in his place,” meaning the place of trouble that the righteous was delivered from. Cf. NASB “the wicked takes his place”; NRSV “the wicked get into it instead”; NIV “it comes on the wicked instead.” The verb is a preterite with vav consecutive and should be past time. On the one hand the sage has seen this take place and the student should expect it to happen again. From another angle, the proverb says that the trouble, which a righteous person appears to be headed for, could actually be prepared for the wicked.
- Proverbs 11:9 tn Heb “with his mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) functions as a metonymy of cause for speech.
- Proverbs 11:9 sn The Hebrew word originally meant “impious, godless, polluted, profane.” It later developed the idea of a “hypocrite” (Dan 11:32), one who conceals his evil under the appearance of godliness or kindness. This one is a false flatterer.
- Proverbs 11:9 sn The verb שָׁחַת (shakhat) means “to destroy; to ruin” (e.g., the destruction of Sodom in Gen 13:10). The imperfect tense is probably not an habitual imperfect (because the second colon shows exceptions), but probably a progressive imperfect (“this goes on”) or potential imperfect (“they can do this”).
- Proverbs 11:9 sn The antithetical proverb states that a righteous person can escape devastating slander through knowledge. The righteous will have sufficient knowledge and perception to see through the hypocrisy and avoid its effect.
- Proverbs 11:10 tn The text has “in the good [בְּטוֹב, betov] of the righteous,” meaning when they do well, when they prosper. Cf. NCV, NLT “succeed”; TEV “have good fortune.”
- Proverbs 11:10 sn The verb תַּעֲלֹץ (taʿalots, “to rejoice; to exult”) is paralleled with the noun רִנָּה (rinnah, “ringing cry”). The descriptions are hyperbolic, except when the person who dies is one who afflicted society (e.g., 2 Kgs 11:20; Esth 8:15). D. Kidner says, “However drab the world makes out virtue to be, it appreciates the boon of it in public life” (Proverbs [TOTC], 91).
Proverbs 11:8-10
English Standard Version
Proverbs 11:8-10
English Standard Version
8 (A)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked walks into it instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 (B)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
Proverbs 11:23
New English Translation
Proverbs 11:23
New English Translation
23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:23 tc The MT reads עֶבְרָה (ʿevrah, “wrath”) implying that whatever the wicked hope it turns out that they receive wrath. The LXX reads ἀπολεῖται (apoleitai, “will perish”) which might reflect an underlying Hebrew of אָבְדָה (ʾavedah) “it has perished,” which is also attested in at least one Medieval manuscript. The difference involves two letters similar in sound, א and ע (ʾaleph and ʿayin), and two similar in appearance, ד and ר (dalet and resh). This would be similar to Prov 10:28, which uses the imperfect of the same root, “the expectation of the wicked perishes.”
Proverbs 11:23
English Standard Version
Proverbs 11:23
English Standard Version
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
(A)the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
New English Translation (NET)
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English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.