15:28
Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:
28a
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
28b but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
15:28a
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer: For heart, see the note on 10:20b. The phrase ponders how to answer means that a righteous person carefully thinks or meditates about how to respond before he speaks. His answer is in contrast to the “evil” that the wicked person says. So it is implied that the righteous person will try to answer ⌊in a way that is helpful and appropriate⌋ . (See 15:23 for a similar idea). Some ways to translate this line are:
• Keep the reference to the heart or mind. For example:
The heart of the upright reflects before answering (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
A righteous person carefully considers his answer in his heart/mind.
• Express the meaning of The heart…ponders how to answer without referring to the heart or mind. For example:
Good people think before they answer. (Good News Translation)
Translate this line in a way that expresses the meaning clearly and naturally in your language.
15:28b
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil: This line is the same as 15:2b, except that the words wicked and evil occur instead of “fools” and “folly.” The contrast with 15:28a also implies that the wicked person blurts out his words ⌊without thinking⌋ .
evil: This word can mean either morally bad or bad in the sense of causing harm. You may use either sense in your translation. Some ways to translate this line are:
but the wicked speak evil without ever thinking (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Evil people have a quick reply, but it causes trouble. (Good News Translation)
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