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Prov C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 C26 C27 C28 C29 C30 C31

Prov 1 V1 V2 V3 V4 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27 V28 V29 V30 V31 V32 V33

OET interlinear PROV 1:5

← PROV 1:5 ↓ → ► ║ ©

Hebrew word order

    1. Hebrew word
    2. Hebrew lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. Gloss
    8. CAPS codes
    9. OET tags
    10. OET word #
    1. יִשְׁמַע
    2. 387086
    3. Let him listen
    4. listen
    5. 8085
    6. V-Vqi3ms
    7. let_him_listen
    8. S
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269432
    1. חָכָם
    2. 387087
    3. a prudent one
    4. -
    5. 2450
    6. S-Ncmsa
    7. a_prudent_[one]
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269433
    1. וְ,יוֹסֶף
    2. 387088,387089
    3. and let him increase
    4. -
    5. 3254
    6. SV-C,Vhi3ms
    7. and,let_him_increase
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269434
    1. לֶקַח
    2. 387090
    3. learning
    4. learning
    5. 3948
    6. O-Ncmsa
    7. learning
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269435
    1. וְ,נָבוֹן
    2. 387091,387092
    3. and one who has understanding
    4. discerning
    5. 995
    6. S-C,VNrmsa
    7. and,[one_who]_has_understanding
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269436
    1. תַּחְבֻּלוֹת
    2. 387093
    3. guidance(s)
    4. guidance
    5. 8458
    6. O-Ncfpa
    7. guidance(s)
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269437
    1. יִקְנֶֽה
    2. 387094
    3. let him get
    4. -
    5. 7069
    6. V-Vqi3ms
    7. let_him_get
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269438
    2. 387095
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-sof-pasuq
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 269439

OET (OET-LV) Let_him_listen a_prudent_one and_let_him_increase learning and_one_who_has_understanding guidance(s) let_him_get.

OET (OET-RV) Let wise people also listen to these sayings to keep learning more,
 ⇔ and discerning people can acquire guidance—

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–7: This is the purpose of Proverbs

This section is the writer’s introduction to the book of Proverbs. It contains an overall title for the book (1:1), a statement of purpose (1:2–6), and a motto or key verse (1:7). In Hebrew, the first six verses form a single sentence that gives related goals or functions for the proverbs. Proverbs 1:2a, 1:2b, 1:3a, 1:4a, and 1:6a all begin with a verb phrase that relates back to the title and gives one of the functions. The BSB translates these phrases as: “for gaining…, for comprehending…, for receiving…. To impart…, by understanding….” Proverbs 1:5 begins with a different grammatical construction. Several scholars therefore consider this verse to be a parenthesis, clarifying that the proverbs are also useful to people who are wise.

Some other headings for this section are:

The Purpose of Proverbs (NLT)

How Proverbs Can Be Used (CEV)

The Importance of Proverbs (NCV)

1:5

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

5alet the wise listen and gain instruction,

5band the discerning acquire wise counsel

There is an ellipsis in 1:5b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the verb “listen” from 1:5a. For example:

5band the discerning listen and acquire wise counsel

1:5a–b

(combined/reordered)

At this point, the author interrupts the series of purpose clauses in 1:2–4 and 1:6. In this verse, he directs his advice to people who are wise and discerning. He exhorts them that they also should pay attention to the proverbs. Some versions translate these exhortations as third-person commands. For example:

Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. (NLT)

Other versions translate them as statements, so the exhortation is only implied. For example:

Wise people can also listen and learn. (NCV)

Make sure it is clear in your translation that the author is giving advice to the wise. He is not just stating what the wise will do.

listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel: In these parallel phrases, the readers are advised to listen to the proverbs in order to learn more and receive guidance. The command listen (implied in 1:5b) tells how the readers will add to their learning and receive guidance.

1:5a

let the wise listen and gain instruction,

the wise: The Hebrew word ḥakam, which all English versions translate as wise, refers to a person who is skilled in doing what is right. Wise people know what is right and wrong. They understand what will lead to a good result, and they act accordingly.

See the note on wisdom in 1:2a. See wisdom in the Glossary.

listen and gain instruction: The commands to listen and gain are not two separate commands. To gain instruction gives the purpose for the command to listen. In some languages, listen applies only to oral instruction. In such a case, you may want to use a term such as “pay attention” or “heed.” Another way to translate 1:5a is:

As for wise people, they should also heed these proverbs so that they will continue to learn.

1:5b

and the discerning acquire wise counsel

the discerning: The Hebrew word nabon, which the BSB translates as the discerning, refers to a person who has either binah “insight” or tǝbunah “good sense.” All three words are related to the root bin “to understand/perceive.” See understanding (insight) and understanding (good sense) in the Glossary.

A nabon is a person who can understand and interpret ideas and can draw conclusions. He is also a person who is sensible and competent. He can act in an appropriate way when he needs to make a decision or solve a problem. He is able to discern the difference between right and wrong, between a good decision and a bad one. Some other ways to translate this term are:

those with understanding (REB)

smart (CEV)

intelligent (NAB)

discerning/sensible

A term such as “educated” is not recommended here, because it may incorrectly refer to a person who has had formal schooling.

See discerning in the Glossary.

acquire wise counsel: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as wise counsel refers here to good advice that will enable a person to make wise decisions. For example:

find good advice in these words (NCV)

General Comment on 1:5a–b

In this verse, the “wise” and the “discerning” are parallel and refer to the same group of people. Also, “gain instruction” is parallel with “acquire wise counsel.” In some languages, it may be clearer to combine and/or reorder the parallel lines. For example:

Those of you who are wise and have the ability to understand, you also should pay attention to these proverbs, so that you will know more and you will be guided/directed in what you do.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-background

יִשְׁמַ֣ע חָ֭כָם וְ⁠י֣וֹסֶף לֶ֑קַח וְ֝⁠נָב֗וֹן תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹת יִקְנֶֽה

hear wise and,let_him_increase learning and,[one_who]_has_understanding guidance acquire

This verse interrupts the list of purposes for the proverbs in [1:2–6](../01/02.md) to add the idea that those who are already wise might use these to add to their wisdom. If it would be helpful in your language, you could add parentheses, as in the ULT, or use a natural way in your language to indicate a parenthetical or background statement.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

יִשְׁמַ֣ע חָ֭כָם וְ⁠י֣וֹסֶף לֶ֑קַח וְ֝⁠נָב֗וֹן תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹת יִקְנֶֽה

hear wise and,let_him_increase learning and,[one_who]_has_understanding guidance acquire

These two clauses mean basically the same thing. The second clause emphasizes the meaning of the first clause by repeating the same idea with different words. Hebrew poetry was based on this kind of repetition, so it would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. However, if it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the phrases with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: “let a wise one hear and increase insight, yes, may an understanding one acquire guidance”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

יִשְׁמַ֣ע חָ֭כָם

hear wise

The author is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “let a wise one hear these proverbs”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹת יִקְנֶֽה

guidance acquire

The author implies that this person will acquire guidance from these proverbs. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “will acquire guidance from these proverbs”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹת יִקְנֶֽה

guidance acquire

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of guidance, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “know how to live”

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

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Hebrew word
    5. Hebrew lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. Gloss
    8. CAPS codes
    9. OET tags
    10. OET word #
    1. Let him listen
    2. listen
    3. 7841
    5. 387086
    6. V-Vqi3ms
    8. S
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269432
    1. a prudent one
    2. -
    3. 2548
    5. 387087
    6. S-Ncmsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269433
    1. and let him increase
    2. -
    3. 1987,3249
    5. 387088,387089
    6. SV-C,Vhi3ms
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269434
    1. learning
    2. learning
    3. 3764
    5. 387090
    6. O-Ncmsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269435
    1. and one who has understanding
    2. discerning
    3. 1987,940
    5. 387091,387092
    6. S-C,VNrmsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269436
    1. guidance(s)
    2. guidance
    3. 8294
    5. 387093
    6. O-Ncfpa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269437
    1. let him get
    2. -
    3. 6963
    5. 387094
    6. V-Vqi3ms
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269438

OET (OET-LV) Let_him_listen a_prudent_one and_let_him_increase learning and_one_who_has_understanding guidance(s) let_him_get.

OET (OET-RV) Let wise people also listen to these sayings to keep learning more,
 ⇔ and discerning people can acquire guidance—

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.OET logo mark

← PROV 1:5 ↑ → ► ║ ©