23:18

This verse promises the young man that if he obeys the contrasting commands in 23:17, especially the advice in 23:17b, he can confidently hope for a good future. Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

18a For surely there is a future,

18b and your hope will not be cut off.

23:18a

For surely there is a future: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “for if there is a future.” The two Hebrew words that begin this clause have more than one function. The main ways to interpret their function are:

(1) They emphasize the certainty of the young man’s good future. This good future gives the implied motivation for obeying the commands in 23:17. So versions with “For surely” will be listed here as well. For example:

Surely there is a future (English Standard Version)
-or-
For surely there is a future (NET Bible)

(2) They indicate that a good future is the reason or motivation for obeying the commands in 23:17. For example:

For there is a future (New Jerusalem Bible)

(3) They indicate that a good future is the result as well as the implied reason for obeying the commands in 23:17. So versions with “For then” will be listed here as well as versions that indicate only result. For example:

Then you will have hope for the future (New Century Version)
-or-
for then you will have a future (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English versions.

a future: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible and most versions translate as a future refers to the rest of the young man’s life, including its end. In this context, it implies that he can look forward to a long, happy, and prosperous life followed by an honorable death.

23:18b

and your hope will not be cut off: This clause further describes the good “future” that the young man hopes to enjoy. It indicates that this hope will not be removed or ended prematurely. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and your hope will not come to nothing (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
your hope will not be disappointed (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and your wishes will come true (New Century Version)

General Comment on 23:18a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder and/or combine the parallel ideas of “future” and “hope.” For example:

For it is certain that what you hope for in the future will be fulfilled.

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