PROV 10:31 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:1–22:16: This is the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs

This section is the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs. It has a very different structure from the longer poetic lectures of chapters 1–9. It consists mostly of individual couplets (two-line poems) that are each one verse in length. With the exception of the title (10:1a), paragraph breaks will not be indicated in the Notes or Display. You may of course choose to start each proverb as a separate paragraph in your translation.

In chapters 10–15, most of these one-verse couplets express a contrast between the two lines. One of the more common contrasts is between the righteous/wise and the wicked/foolish and the different consequences of their conduct.

In chapters 16:1–22:16, more topics are discussed. There is more emphasis on the role of the king and other leaders. In these chapters, there are few proverbs with contrasting lines. Some of the parallel lines are similar in meaning. More frequently, the second line adds to what the first line says or gives an example. Most of the verses have no obvious connection with the previous or following proverbs.UBS (page 214), Fox (page 509), McKane (page 413). Many scholars, including McKane, point out that there are some topical groupings as well as poetic connections. These include the repetition of certain words or sounds. This observation does not deny the individual nature of most of the proverbs in this Section.

Two of the types of proverbs in this section are not found in chapters 1–9. One type contains logical reasoning from the lesser to the greater. See 11:31 for a list of these proverbs. There are also several varieties of complex “better than” proverbs. The most common have a contrasting situation in each line (see 12:9). For other varieties, see 16:16, 19:1, and 21:9.

Many of the proverbs in this section refer to categories of people who share a common trait. For example, they refer to the righteous, the wise, the poor, and the lazy. In Hebrew, some verses use singular forms to refer to these groups of people. Other verses use plural forms. Still others use a combination of singular and plural. See the note on 10:30a–b for one example. For most of these verses, the Notes will not comment on the difference between singular and plural forms. Use a natural way in your language to refer to one or more people who are in the same category.

Many of the proverbs in this section express a general principle in abstract terms. They are not addressed specifically to the readers. For example, 10:2a–b says:

Ill-gotten treasures are of no value,

but righteousness delivers from death.

However, the author intended his readers to understand these proverbs as advice that they should follow. In some languages, authors or speakers give advice more directly, using pronouns such as you^(sing), you^(plur), we^(dual), or we^(incl). See the note on 10:2 for translation suggestions.

Some other headings for this section are:

Proverbs of Solomon (NIV)

The Wise Words of Solomon (NCV)

Here are many wise things that Solomon said

10:31

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

^31a The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,

^31bbut a perverse tongue will be cut out.

10:31a–b

The mouth of the righteous…a perverse tongue: The words mouth and tongue are both figures of speech. They represent a person who speaks in a certain way.

10:31a

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,

From the mouth of a righteous person come wise words,
A righteous person makes known his wisdom in what he says,

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom: This line means that a righteous person says wise things/words. In some languages, “wise” is used to describe only people, not words. In such languages, it may be possible to express the meaning by saying:

A righteous person makes known his wisdom in what he says

When a righteous person speaks, he expresses his wisdom

10:31b

but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

but the tongue of a liar will be stopped from speaking by Yahweh.
but Yahweh will cause those who deceive others to be silent.

but a perverse tongue will be cut out: The phrase a perverse tongue refers to a liar who twists the truth in order to deceive others. Also see the note on “perverse” in 2:12b.

The statement that a perverse tongue will be cut out or “cut off” (NJB) should not be understood literally. It is an example of hyperbole. It means that the perverse person will be stopped from saying what is false or misleading. The meaning may be expressed without using a figure of speech. For example:

but deceitful liars will be silenced (CEV)

In some languages, it may not be natural to use a passive verb. Another way to translate this clause is to use an active verb and supply “the LORD” as the subject. For example:

but the LORD will cause wicked people who deceive others to be quiet

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

פִּֽי־צַ֭דִּיק

mouth_of law-abiding/just

See how you translated this phrase in [10:11](../10/11.md).

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

יָנ֣וּב חָכְמָ֑ה

brings_forth wisdom

Here Solomon refers to a righteous person saying wise things as if his mouth were a plant that bears wisdom as a fruit. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “speaks wisdom” or “speaks wisdom like a plant bears fruit”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

וּ⁠לְשׁ֥וֹן

and=(the)_tongue

See how you translated the same use of tongue in [6:17](../06/17.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

תִּכָּרֵֽת

cut_out

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The context implies that Yahweh will do the action. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will cut off”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

תִּכָּרֵֽת

cut_out

Here Solomon speaks of the perverse ones not being permitted to speak as if someone cut off their tongues. This does not mean that someone would literally cut off their tongues; it simply means that they will be stopped. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will not be allowed to speak” or “will be stopped”

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The Hebrew text, lemmas, and morphology are all thanks to the OSHB and some of the glosses are from Macula Hebrew.