SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2020 – Page 4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:25

1:25

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

25a because you neglected all my counsel,

25b and wanted none of my correction,

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts of this verse. See 1:25a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

1:25a

you neglected all my counsel: The Hebrew noun ʿeṣah, which most English versions translate as “advice” or counsel, refers here to the recommendations that Wisdom made to her audience. They repeatedly ignored this advice.

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate counsel as a verb. For example:

you repeatedly ignored me when I counseled you

1:25b

wanted none of my correction: Another way to translate this line is:

did not listen when I corrected you (New Century Version)

For the word correction, see the note on “rebuke” in 1:23a.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:26

1:26–27

In 1:26 the writer used two similar terms: “calamity” and “terror.” In the Hebrew of the next verse he used the same terms but changed the order (chiasm), but the Berean Standard Bible does not follow the Hebrew order. He also added a simile to each line: “dread comes like a storm” and “destruction like a whirlwind.” In the last line he added two other synonyms: “distress” and “anguish.” By organizing these verses in this way, he created the impression of an intense, certain, and sudden disaster. It may not be natural to use a chiasm in your language. It is also unlikely that your language will have the same range of parallel terms, but you should try to keep the implication of increasing or fearful disasters. Because the New International Version retains the parallelism of the original, it will be used in the Display for these verses.

1:26

Notice that the New International Version retains the parallel parts that are similar in meaning in the Hebrew:

26a
I in turn will laugh at your disaster ; (New International Version)

26b
I will mock when calamity overtakes you — (New International Version)

1:26a–b

(New International Version) I in turn: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “I also.” It shifts the focus from the foolish behavior of the people in Wisdom’s audience to the reaction that Wisdom will have when they face judgment. Some other ways to express this shift of focus in English are:

I, for my part (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
As for me, I will…

(New International Version) will laugh at…will mock: These verbs are parallel, but mock has a stronger meaning. It means to ridicule or make fun of someone.

(New International Version) your disaster…when calamity overtakes you: The Hebrew word that the New International Version translates as disaster refers to any sudden event that causes great damage or destruction. In Hebrew, the parallel word translated as calamity is literally “terror/panic” or “dread.” For example:

I will mock when panic strikes you (New Revised Standard Version)

The New Jerusalem Bible is similar:

I shall jeer when terror befalls you. (New Jerusalem Bible)

However, the Hebrew phrase that the New International Version translates as calamity is literally “your calamity.” This phrase may mean “the terror that you feel” (as in the New Revised Standard Version above) or “what causes you terror.” You may translate it either way. Together, the two lines refer to a disaster that causes people to be afraid.

(New International Version) overtakes: In Hebrew, this word is literally “comes.” In contexts like this verse, it implies “comes as a consequence.” So another way to translate this verse is:

I will scoff when the dreadful disaster you deserve comes.

General Comment on 1:26a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts in this verse. See 1:26a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:27

1:27

Notice that the New International Version retains the parallel parts that are similar in meaning in the Hebrew:

27a when calamity overtakes you like a storm, (New International Version)

27b when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, (New International Version)

27c when distress and trouble overwhelm you. (New International Version)

1:27a–c

(New International Version) overtakes you…sweeps over you…overwhelm you: The word translated here (and in 1:26b) as overtakes and overwhelm is literally “come.” The word translated as sweeps over is a close synonym that also means “come” or “arrive.” In Hebrew, repetition of this nature emphasizes the certainty of the coming judgment. In English, it is more effective to use different verbs that express more picturesquely the effects of a storm. You will need to decide what is effective in your language.

(New International Version) like a storm…like a whirlwind: Both storm and whirlwind refer to storms that cause severe destruction. If whirlwinds are not known in your language area, you may:

• Use a descriptive term. For example:

violent wind storm

• Use a word in your language for a similar storm that occurs in your area. For example:

typhoon
-or-
hurricane
-or-
sandstorm
-or-
cyclone

(New International Version) distress…trouble: The words that the New International Version translates as distress and trouble may refer to difficulties that surround or press in on someone. They may also refer to the resulting emotions of fear or misery that a person in such difficulties experiences. Some other ways to translate these words are:

when ordeal and anguish bear down on you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
when…you are in pain and misery (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 1:26a–b and 1:27a–c

In some languages, it may be necessary to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts in both of these verses to avoid redundancy, as the Contemporary English Version has done:

So when you are struck by some terrible disaster,

or when trouble and distress surround you like a whirlwind,

I will laugh and make fun. (Contemporary English Version)

The Contemporary English Version also moves the main consequence “I will laugh and make fun” to the end of 1:27. You will need to consider if it is natural to do this in your language.

Remember that whenever you combine and/or reorder parallel parts in order to avoid unacceptable redundancy, you must be careful not to lose the emphasis that the original repetition may have conveyed. In Hebrew, the repetition of these five parallel lines emphasizes that the fools described in 1:22 will certainly be destroyed.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:28

Paragraph 1:28–31

In the previous paragraph, both the Hebrew text and the English versions use “you” pronouns. These pronouns indicate that Wisdom is directly addressing the foolish people in her audience. In paragraph 1:28–31, the Hebrew text changes from “you” to “they” pronouns. There are two ways to interpret this pronoun change:

(1) Some versions change from “you” to “they” pronouns. This change implies that Wisdom is now talking about the fools rather than addressing them directly. For example:

Then they will call me… (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) Other versions continue to use “you” pronouns. This implies that Wisdom continues to speak to the fools that she addressed in 1:22–27. For example:

Then you will call to me… (New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English versions and scholars. Some scholars think that the change of pronouns indicates the climax of this section. The change of pronouns may also imply that Wisdom is talking about the fools to a different audience. This audience may be the readers of the book or the “son” mentioned in 1:8 and 1:15. It is also possible that Wisdom summarizes in her own mind what she has just announced to the fools in her audience.

In many languages, it will be necessary to indicate explicitly that Wisdom is no longer addressing the same audience. Some ways to do this are to use one or more of the following options:

• Put quotation marks at the end of 1:27.

• Supply a statement at the end of 1:27 that Wisdom is no longer addressing the same audience. For example:

That is what Wisdom said to those foolish people.

• Start 1:28 with a clause that indicates a new quote. For example:

Then Wisdom said, “…

• Add a footnote that explains that Wisdom is no longer addressing the same audience.

1:28

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

28a Then they will call on me, but I will not answer ;

28b
they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

1:28a

Then they will call on me: The Hebrew text does not specify why they will call to Wisdom. Since the people were in distress, they will probably call for help. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

You will ask for my help (Contemporary English Version)

1:28b

they will earnestly seek me: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as earnestly seek me means to search for with great effort. This meaning is accurately expressed as follows:

they will seek me diligently (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they will look eagerly for me (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:29

1:29

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

29a For they hated knowledge

29b and chose not to fear the LORD,

This verse gives two parallel reasons for the consequences described in 1:31.

1:29a–b

For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD:
For the meaning of hated knowledge, see 1:22c, for fear the LORD, see 1:7a.

chose not to fear the LORD: Another way to translate this phrase is:

have always refused to obey the Lord (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:30

1:30

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

30a They accepted none of my counsel;

30b they despised all my reproof.

This verse gives two more parallel reasons for the consequences described in 1:31.

1:30a–b

accepted none of my counsel…despised all my reproof: The phrases in this verse have similar meanings to 1:25, which has “neglected” for accepted none of and “wanted none of” for despised. In Hebrew, the word accepted means “consent to,” “comply with,” or “be willing to obey.” The word despised means “undervalued” or “treated with disdain.” The way a person shows disdain for someone’s rebuke is to ignore it, so the Good News Translation has:

You have never…paid any attention when I corrected you. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:31

1:31

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

31a So they will eat the fruit of their own way,

31b and be filled with their own devises.

This verse gives the consequences/results of the behavior in 1:29–30.

1:31a

So they will eat the fruit of their own way: The clause they will eat the fruit of their own way is a figure of speech. It means “they will suffer the consequences of their conduct/behavior.”

In some languages, a literal translation of this figure of speech may be difficult to understand. Some other ways to translate it are:

• Keep the figure of speech, but make explicit part of the meaning. For example, the New Living Translation (2004) makes explicit the words “bitter” and “living”:

Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way (New Living Translation (2004))

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

So then, you will get what you deserve. (Good News Translation)

• Use a different figure of speech with a similar meaning. For example:

Therefore, since you chose to plant evil, you will have to harvest the bitter crop that it bears.

1:31b

and be filled with their own devices: In Hebrew, this expression is literally “be filled from their schemes.” There are two ways to interpret this expression:

(1) The phrase “the fruit” from 31a does not apply. This line describes a parallel but different consequence to the behavior in 1:29–30. It means “filled to the point of disgust with their own plans.” For example:

until you are stuffed full with your own schemes (Contemporary English Version)

(2) The phrase “the fruit” from 31a does apply. This line has a similar meaning to the first line, and it means “filled with the bitter consequences that their plans have produced.” For example:

you will get what you planned for others (New Century Version)

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

In some languages, it may be clearer to translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

your own actions will make you sick (Good News Translation)

devices: Another translation for devices is:

what you planned for others (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:32

Paragraph 1:32–33

1:32

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

32a For the waywardness of the simple will slay them,

32b and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

1:32a

For: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For often introduces a reason for the preceding statement. However, here it introduces a conclusion (1:32–33) to the whole section (1:20–33). This conclusion contrasts the disastrous fate of people who turn away from Wisdom with the peaceful life that is the reward of people who heed Wisdom.

Some English versions introduce this conclusion without an explicit word. For example:

Fools will die because they refuse to listen (New Century Version)

In other languages, it may be natural to introduce a conclusion with a word like “surely.” For example:

Surely/Indeed easily-deceived people will die…

Introduce this conclusion in a natural way in your language.

waywardness: In Hebrew, when this word is used elsewhere in the OT, it always means to turn away from God. However, in this context, it means to constantly turn away from Wisdom. For example:

reject wisdom (Good News Translation)

Here is another way to translate this:

turn away from me (New Living Translation (2004))

The word “me” refers here to Wisdom.

simple: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as simple refers to inexperienced, naive people who allow themselves to be easily persuaded or led astray into foolish behavior.

will slay them: The phrase will slay them indicates that the easily-deceived person’s persistence in rejecting Wisdom will result in his death. The way he will die is not specified. For example:

Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. (Good News Translation)

1:32b

and the complacency of fools: The word complacency describes an attitude of careless indifference to important truths and responsibilities. Other ways to translate this word are:

lack of concern (Good News Translation)
-or-
self-satisfaction (Contemporary English Version)

fools: In Hebrew, this word for “fool” refers to someone who does what is stupid and wrong because he is mentally lazy and self-satisfied.

will destroy them: In this context, the word destroy means the same as “slay” in 1:32a.

General Comment on 1:32a–b

In some languages, it may be necessary to combine and/or reorder the parallel lines to show that both “the simple” and “fools” describe the same kind of people. They will both experience destruction and death. For example:

Easily-deceived fools will die because they have rejected me, Wisdom, and are complacent about their foolishness.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:30

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:31

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:32

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