12:22
Note the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:
22a
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD,
22b but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
12:22a
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as detestable to the LORD is literally “an abomination of the LORD.” (See the note on 11:1a.) Lying lips is a figure of speech (synecdoche). It represents the person who tells lies. Another way to translate this clause is:
The Lord detests a liar (Revised English Bible)
12:22b
but those who deal faithfully are His delight: This clause means that the LORD is pleased with people who deal faithfully.
those who deal faithfully: The words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as those who deal faithfully are literally “doers of truth/truthfulness.” The contrast with “lying lips” in 12:22a may imply that this expression refers mainly to truthful or reliable speech. For example:
but is pleased with those who keep their promises (New Century Version)
But the word “doers” probably implies that people show they are honest and reliable by their actions as well as their words. This meaning may be expressed as follows:
but those who deal truthfully are his delight (NET Bible)
-or-
but those who act faithfully are his delight (New Revised Standard Version)
You may translate either way, but if possible, use an expression that can refer to either words or actions.
delight: For the meaning of this word, see the notes on 10:32a (where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “what is fitting”) and 11:1b (where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “delight”).
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