Translation commentary on Proverbs 15:31

This verse, which is omitted in the Septuagint, is one of the very few that consist of a single line.

“He whose ear heeds wholesome admonition” is literally “the ear that hears the admonition of life,” where “admonition of life” means “correction or reproof that gives life.” The “ear” represents the person who listens, pays attention, or accepts correction. “Wholesome admonition” is the Revised Standard Version rendering of the literal “admonition of life.” This is similar to “the path of life” in 5.6. “Wholesome” refers to whatever promotes health or well-being of body, mind, or spirit. New Jerusalem Bible says “The ear attentive to wholesome correction. . .,” and New English Bible/Revised English Bible “Whoever listens to wholesome reproof. . ..”

“Will abide among the wise”: “Abide among the wise” means “become a wise person” or simply “become wise.” The standard teaching in Proverbs is that willingness to acquire wisdom, and to listen to good advice, leads to wisdom or makes a person wise and successful in life. For this reason it is probably best to understand this saying as “Whoever pays attention to helpful correction in life will become wise.” Contemporary English Version has “Healthy correction is good, and if you accept it, you will be wise.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 15:31)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 15:31:

  • Kupsabiny: “A person who listens to the words of life,
    he/she will be counted on the side of wise people.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If you take responsibility to correct your mistake,
    you are wise.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The one who listens to the rebuking that can-make- life -good will-become wise.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “A person is counted as wise if he listens to correct advice.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “If people pay attention when people correct/warn them,
    they will become wise.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 15:31

15:31

This proverb is a single line. There are no parallel parts. The Notes have divided it into two lines for ease of reference.

31a He who listens to life-giving reproof

31b will dwell among the wise.

15:31a

He who listens: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “an ear ⌊that⌋ hears.” As in similar verses, “an ear that hears” is a figure of speech. It represents a person who hears. It is implied that a person who listens to a reproof also accepts it or heeds it.

life-giving reproof: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as life-giving reproof is literally “rebuke/admonition of life.” This probably means “a rebuke that leads to or results in ⌊a longer or better⌋ life.” For example:

correction to improve your life (New Century Version)

15:31b

will dwell among the wise: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will dwell among is literally “will remain in the midst of.” Here it probably indicates that the person who heeds advice will become a member of the group of wise people. He will regularly associate with them and enjoy their company.

In some languages, a literal translation of this phrase may wrongly imply that the one who heeds advice starts to live with wise people in their home. Another way to translate this is:

will enjoy the society of the wise (Revised English Bible)

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