Open Bible Data Home  About  News  OET Key

OET OET-RV OET-LV ULT UST BSB MSB BLB AICNT OEB WEBBE WMBB NET LSV FBV TCNT T4T LEB BBE Moff JPS Wymth ASV DRA YLT Drby RV SLT Wbstr KJB-1769 KJB-1611 Bshps Gnva Cvdl TNT Wycl SR-GNT UHB BrLXX BrTr Related Topics Parallel Interlinear Reference Dictionary Search

InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV

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 21 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27 V28 V29 V30 V31

OET interlinear PROV 21:21

◄ ← PROV 21:21 ↓ → ► ║ ©

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. רֹדֵף
    2. 394580
    3. one who pursues
    4. -
    5. 7291
    6. V-Vqrmsa
    7. [one_who]_pursues
    8. S
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275159
    1. צְדָקָה
    2. 394581
    3. righteousness
    4. -
    5. 6666
    6. O-Ncfsa
    7. righteousness
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275160
    1. וָ,חָסֶד
    2. 394582,394583
    3. and loyalty
    4. loyal
    6. O-C,Ncmsa
    7. and,loyalty
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275161
    1. יִמְצָא
    2. 394584
    3. he finds
    4. -
    5. 4672
    6. V-Vqi3ms
    7. he_finds
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275162
    1. חַיִּים
    2. 394585
    3. life
    4. life
    6. O-Ncmpa
    7. life
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275163
    1. צְדָקָה
    2. 394586
    3. righteousness
    4. -
    5. 6666
    6. O-Ncfsa
    7. righteousness
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275164
    1. וְ,כָבוֹד
    2. 394587,394588
    3. and honour
    4. honour
    5. 3519
    6. O-C,Ncbsa
    7. and,honor
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275165
    2. 394589
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-sof-pasuq
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 275166

OET (OET-LV) one_who_pursues righteousness and_loyalty he_finds life righteousness and_honour.

OET (OET-RV) The person who strives to do what’s right and who shows loyal commitment,
 ⇔ → will find life, forgiveness, and honour.

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

21:21

In this proverb, the second line gives the rewards that are the result of pursuing good character traits.

21aHe who pursues righteousness and loving devotion

21bfinds life, righteousness, and honor.

21:21a

He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion

He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion: A person who pursues righteousness and loving devotion makes a deliberate effort to have or show these qualities in his life. He tries hard to do what is right and to show faithful love and kindness to other people.

righteousness: The word righteousness was last used in 21:3, where the BSB translates it as “righteousness.”

loving devotion: This phrase has three aspects of meaning: loyalty, love, and kindness. It was last used in 20:28. If you are able to translate more than one aspect of meaning, you are encouraged to do so. For example:

faithful love (NJB)

unfailing love (NLT)

Some other ways to translate 21:21a are:

He who strives to do good and kind deeds (NJPS)

He who perseveres in right conduct and loyalty (REB)

Whoever tries to live right and be loyal (NCV)

21:21b

finds life, righteousness, and honor.

(NIV11) finds life, prosperity, and honor: There is a textual issue here:

  1. The Masoretic Text has three terms: life, righteousness/prosperity, and honor. For example:

    attains life, success, and honor (NJPS) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, REB, GNT)

  2. The LXX has two terms: life and honor. For example:

    will find life and honor (NRSV) (NAB, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most versions and scholars.The main argument against the MT is that the repetition of ṣǝdaqah “righteousness” is awkward. According to Fox (page 689), this repetition is probably the result of mistakenly copying the word from the first part of the verse. HOTTP recommends the MT with a “C” rating, indicating that there is considerable doubt. The Vulgate follows the MT. Some of the reasons in favor of the MT are: (a) it is significant that those who strive for righteousness can expect to attain it (Garrett, page 183); (b) there is an intended wordplay between “righteousness” and “prosperity/success” (Ross, page 1056). When the first term is understood as “righteousness” and the result is understood as “prosperity,” the apparent awkwardness is eliminated.

There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word ṣǝdaqah, which the NIV translates here as prosperity. The NIV and BSB translate the same word as “righteousness” in 21:21a.

  1. The word means “prosperity” or “success.” There is a deliberate wordplay between “righteousness” in 21:21a and its effect, “prosperity” in 21:21b. For example:

    finds life, prosperity, and honour (REB) (NCV, NET, NIV, NJPS, REB)

  2. The word means “righteousness” or “uprightness.” The author wants to emphasize that a person who pursues a righteous character will attain it. For example:

    will find life, righteousness, and honor (ESV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NJB, NLT, GNT)

The Display follows interpretation (1). You may follow either interpretation. Both are well supported by versions and scholars.Scholars who prefer the meaning “prosperity/success” include Waltke, Ross, Hubbard, and Cohen. Scholars who prefer the meaning “righteousness” include Delitzsch, Longman, and Garrett. Whatever interpretation you choose, it is suggested that you add a footnote that gives both meanings. For example, if you choose interpretation (1), a possible footnote is:

(NIV) life: In this context, the word life implies a long and good life. See the GNT (quoted above).

(NIV) prosperity: The Hebrew word that is used here can refer to righteous behavior. It can also refer to prosperity, a reward of righteousness. People who spoke Hebrew probably thought about both meanings when they read this verse.

If you decide to follow interpretation (2), the GNT shows one way to avoid repeating the same term. For the whole verse, it has:

Be kind and honest and you will live a long life; others will respect you and treat you fairly.

(NIV) honor: The word honor refers here to being respected by others in the community and having a good reputation.Hubbard (page 332), Garrett (page 183), UBS (page 453).

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

רֹ֭דֵף

pursues

A pursuer represents a type of person in general, not one particular person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a more natural expression. Alternate translation: “Any pursuer of”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

רֹ֭דֵף

pursues

See how you translated the same use of pursuer in [15:9](../15/09.md).

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

צְדָקָ֣ה וָ⁠חָ֑סֶד & חַ֝יִּ֗ים צְדָקָ֥ה וְ⁠כָבֽוֹד

righteousness and,loyalty & life(pl) righteousness and,honor

See how you translated the abstract nouns righteousness in [1:3](../01/03.md), covenant faithfulness in [3:3](../03/03.md), life in [10:16](../10/16.md), and honor in [3:16](../03/16.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

יִמְצָ֥א

find

See how you translated the same use of find in [8:35](../08/35.md).

TSN Tyndale Study Notes:

21:21 Righteousness and unfailing love are character traits associated with Israel’s covenant with God (see Exod 34:5-7; Deut 7:9-11). The covenant promised life and honor to those who obeyed God’s law (Deut 28:1-14).

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. one who pursues
    2. -
    3. 7259
    5. 394580
    6. V-Vqrmsa
    8. S
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275159
    1. righteousness
    2. -
    3. 6485
    5. 394581
    6. O-Ncfsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275160
    1. and loyalty
    2. loyal
    3. 1987,2401
    5. 394582,394583
    6. O-C,Ncmsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275161
    1. he finds
    2. -
    3. 4733
    5. 394584
    6. V-Vqi3ms
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275162
    1. life
    2. life
    3. 2448
    5. 394585
    6. O-Ncmpa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275163
    1. righteousness
    2. -
    3. 6485
    5. 394586
    6. O-Ncfsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275164
    1. and honour
    2. honour
    3. 1987,3597
    5. 394587,394588
    6. O-C,Ncbsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 275165

OET (OET-LV) one_who_pursues righteousness and_loyalty he_finds life righteousness and_honour.

OET (OET-RV) The person who strives to do what’s right and who shows loyal commitment,
 ⇔ → will find life, forgiveness, and honour.

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 21:21 ↑ → ► ║ ©