PROV 3:32 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:21–35: Fourth lesson: Be a good neighbor and do not behave like a wicked person

The father started this lesson by exhorting his son to always use sound judgment, because then he would have nothing to fear (3:21–26). He then told his son what to avoid in order to be a good neighbor. He advised him to not follow the behavior of wicked people (3:27–31). The lesson ends with a series of contrasts between the way that the LORD will treat the righteous and the wicked (3:32–35).

Another heading for this section is:

How to be a good neighbor

3:32

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

^32afor the LORD detests the perverse,

^32bbut He is a friend to the upright.

3:32a

for the LORD detests the perverse,

for/because Yahweh utterly hates evil/deceitful people like this.
People who do what is wrong are disgusting/repulsive to Yahweh.

for: This word introduces the reason why the son should not envy a criminal or follow his example. In some languages, a specific word may not be needed. For example:

Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord (NLT)

the LORD detests: The phrase the LORD detests is literally “abomination of the LORD.” This is a very strong expression. It refers to offenses that the LORD considers “abhorrent” (NJB), “disgusting” (GW), repulsive, or nauseating. The GNT and NCV use a more general expression:

the Lord hates (GNT, NCV)

But a stronger expression would be preferable if one is available.

the perverse: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as the perverse is based on a verb that means “to turn aside from the right path.” Here it refers figuratively to a person who deliberately turns away from what is right in order to do what is wrong or deceitful.See NIDOTTE (H4279), UBS (page 93), Delitzsch (page 73, and Hubbard (page 78). The same word is used in 2:15b. See the note on 2:15a–b.

Some ways to translate this word are:

people who do evil (GNT)

a willful wrong-doer (NJB)

anyone who is dishonest (CEV)

In some languages, it may be more natural to express this idea with a verb phrase. For example:

those who deceive others

Notice that “the perverse” in this verse is parallel to “a violent man” in 3:31. Both phrases refer to the same kind of person. The NLT makes this clear by beginning 3:32 with:

Such wicked people… (NLT)

3:32b

but He is a friend to the upright.

But if people are righteous/straight, Yahweh becomes their close friends.
But Yahweh considers those who do what is right to be his trusted friends.

but He is a friend to the upright: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “but with the upright (is) his-sod.” The Hebrew word sod refers to an intimate and confidential relationship. It implies close fellowship and private conversation. Thus it also implies trust or confidence. Other ways to translate this clause are:

but he reveals his intimate counsel to the upright (NET)

but he offers his friendship to the godly (NLT)

the upright: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as the upright refers to people who are “righteous” (GNT), who do what is right and just. See the note on 2:7a.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

כִּ֤י

that/for/because/then/when

For here indicates that what follows is a reason for the command in the previous verse. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that what follows is a reason for what came before. Alternate translation: “Do not do these things because”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

תוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְהוָ֣ה

abomination_of YHWH

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of abomination, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “an abominable person to Yahweh”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

נָל֑וֹז

perverse

Here Solomon refers to someone who refuses to act righteously, instead deliberately doing what is wicked, as if that person goes astray from a path. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is he who acts wickedly”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְֽ⁠אֶת־יְשָׁרִ֥ים סוֹדֽ⁠וֹ

and=DOM upright intimacy_of,his

Here Solomon speaks of Yahweh giving secret counsel to people as if it were an object that could be with those people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but to the upright ones he gives his secret counsel”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

סוֹדֽ⁠וֹ

intimacy_of,his

The phrase secret counsel refers to confidential conversation between friends. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “his confidential conversation”

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.

OET interlinear PROV 3:32

Hebrew word order

Section 3:21–35: Fourth lesson: Be a good neighbor and do not behave like a wicked person

3:32

3:32a

3:32b

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