OET interlinear PRO 25:15

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

בְּ⁠אֹ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם

in/on/at/with,length_of tempers

The phrase length of nostrils refers to being patient and not getting angry quickly. The word nostrils means “anger” by association with the way that a person who is angry breathes heavily through his nose, causing his nostrils to open wide. Your language and culture may also associate anger with a particular part of the body. If so, you could use an expression involving that part of the body in your translation. You could also use plain language. See how you translated the similar phrase “long of nostrils” in [14:29](../14/29.md). Alternate translation: “By not venting one’s spleen” or “By not getting angry quickly”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

יְפֻתֶּ֣ה קָצִ֑ין

persuaded ruler

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. Alternate translation: “someone may persuade a commander”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

קָצִ֑ין וְ⁠לָשׁ֥וֹן רַ֝כָּ֗ה תִּשְׁבָּר־גָּֽרֶם

ruler and,tongue soft break bone

Here, a commander, a soft tongue, and a bone refer to these people and things in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use more natural expressions. Alternate translation: “any commander … and any soft tongue can break any bone”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

וְ⁠לָשׁ֥וֹן רַ֝כָּ֗ה

and,tongue soft

Here Solomon is speaking of something spoken in a gentle manner as if someone were speaking with a soft tongue. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and speaking gently”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

תִּשְׁבָּר־גָּֽרֶם

break bone

Here Solomon speaks of overcoming strong opposition as if someone were breaking a bone. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “can overcome opposition”