Translation commentary on Proverbs 9:4

The first line of verse 4 contains the words of Wisdom’s invitation as announced by her servant women. In some languages translators make this clear by saying, “They call out . . . like this: ‘Everybody! Wisdom says. . ..'”

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”: “Whoever” means “everyone who is. . ..” “Simple” refers to people who are immature and lacking experience, those needing knowledge and understanding. See 1.4. “Let him . . . here” may be rendered more naturally in English as “Come to my house” or “Come where I am.” Bible en français courant says “Come running this way.” For languages in which “me” and “my” would only refer to the speakers, that is, the servant women, some translations say, “Come to Wisdom’s house.”

“To him who is without sense she says”: Revised Standard Version does not put this line in quote marks but takes these words to be added by the author or by the servants. Either way they are not part of the invitation from Wisdom. “Who is without sense” is literally “one lacking heart.” This is the same expression as used in 6.32 as a description of the adulterer. “She” refers to Wisdom, and it may be necessary in translation to make this clear: “Wisdom says to you.”

It is also possible to handle verses 4-6 as one quote by adjusting verse 4 to say, for example, “Everyone who is ignorant or foolish is invited,” and then to continue the quote in verse 5.

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 9:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 9:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “‘Come here all people you (plur.) who are still immature/young!’ (They) are telling the people who are inexperienced that,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “She calls out like this:
    "All innocent [naïve, not knowing good or evil] people, come!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘You (plur.) who have no wisdom and understanding, you (plur.) are invited to the feast.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “‘You who know nothing and you who are foolish,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 9:4

9:4a–5a

The New International Version (2011) has been used as the source line, because it follows the recommended interpretation. There are two ways to interpret the structure and punctuation of these lines. Line 9:3b has been quoted again to show the context.

(1) The maids address their invitations to two parallel groups: “all who are simple” (9:4a) and “those who have no sense” (9:4b). For example:

3b and she calls from the highest point of the city,

4a “Let all who are simple come to my house !”

4b To those who have no sense she says,

5a “Come, eat my food… (New International Version (2011))

(2) The maids address their invitations to one group: “those who lack judgment” (9:4b). For example:

3b and she calls from the highest point of the city.

4a “Let all who are simple come in here! ”

4b she says to those who lack judgment.

5a “Come, eat my food… (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions. This interpretation uses the normal structure for parallel lines.

However, notice that there is little practical difference between the two invitations. With the New International Version (2011), two separate groups are addressed. These groups are parallel to each other. With the New International Version, only one group is addressed, but that group is described with the same parallel terms.

In Hebrew, singular forms are used in 9:4a and 9:4b. Plural commands are used in 9:5a and 9:5b. Some English versions use singular forms in both verses. Others use plural forms. Use forms in your language that are natural for situations in which a person addresses a group of people.

See the General Comment on 9:4a–b at the end of the note on 9:4b and the General Comment on 9:4a–5b at the end of the note on 9:5a–b for ways to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts in these lines.

9:4a

(New International Version (2011)) Let all who are simple come to my house!: The word simple refers to people who are naive or inexperienced. In some languages, it may be more natural to use the pronoun “you,” because this is an invitation. For example:

You that are simple, turn in here! (New Revised Standard Version)

These words are actually spoken by the servant girls, so in some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit that this is Wisdom’s invitation. For example:

“⌊This is what Wisdom says:⌋ Come to my house, you who are inexperienced!”

(New International Version (2011)) come to my house: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “turn in here” (Berean Standard Bible) or “come in here” (New International Version). However, the servants are not near the house when they give the invitation, so in many languages, it may be clearer to translate this phrase in a way that is similar to the New International Version (2011). For example:

“You who are inexperienced, come to Wisdom’s house/feast!”

9:4b

(New International Version (2011)) to those who have no sense she says: For the phrase have no sense, see lacks judgment in the Glossary. As described previously in the note on 9:4a–9:5a, this clause should be understood as a quote formula that introduces a parallel invitation. The content of this invitation is found in 9:5a. In some languages, it may be clearer to leave the quote introduction implied and just give the contents of the quote. For example:

You who do not have good judgment

General Comment on 9:4a–b

Because of the parallelism, the two quote introductions should be understood as a single invitation to people who are both inexperienced and without sense. In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts to make this clear. For example:

“This is what Wisdom says: Come to my house, all you who are naive and lack sense.

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