HOS 14:9 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Let those who are wise, understand these things.
⇔ ≈ Anyone who’s discerning, let them know them
⇔ because Yahweh’s ways are right,
⇔ and righteous people will follow them,
⇔ but transgressors will stumble in them.

Key: khaki:verbs, green:YHWH.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX τῷ Ἐφραίμ· τί αὐτῷ ἔτι καὶ εἰδώλοις; ἐγὼ ἐταπείνωσα αὐτὸν, καὶ κατισχύσω αὐτόν· ἐγὼ ὡς ἄρκευθος πυκάζουσα, ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὁ καρπός σου εὕρηται.
(tōi Efraim; ti autōi eti kai eidōlois; egō etapeinōsa auton, kai katisⱪusō auton; egō hōs arkeuthos pukazousa, ex emou ho karpos sou heuraʸtai. )

BrTr What has he to do any more with idols? I have afflicted him, and I will strengthen him: I am as a leafy juniper tree. From me is thy fruit found.

ULT Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
⇔ whoever is discerning, let him know them.
⇔ For the ways of Yahweh are right,
⇔ and the righteous will walk in them,
⇔ but transgressors will stumble in them.

UST Every wise person will understand the things about which I have written;
⇔ those who have understanding will study these things and pay careful attention to them.
⇔ The way in which Yahweh wants us to live is right.
⇔ Those who do what is right live by them.
⇔ The rebellious people, however, sin, unable to obey him.

BSB Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
⇔ [whoever] is discerning, let him know them.
⇔ For the ways of the LORD are right,
⇔ and the righteous walk in them
⇔ but the rebellious stumble in them.

OEB ⇔ Whoever is wise,
⇔ let him discern these things,
⇔ prudent, let him perceive them;
⇔ For the Lord’s ways are straight,
⇔ and the righteous walk in them,
⇔ but the wicked stumble in them.

WEBBE ⇔ Who is wise, that he may understand these things?
⇔ Who is prudent, that he may know them?
⇔ For the ways of the LORD are right,
⇔ and the righteous walk in them,
⇔ but the rebellious stumble in them.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Who is wise?
⇔ Let him discern these things!
⇔ Who is discerning?
⇔ Let him understand them!
⇔ For the ways of the Lord are right;
⇔ the godly walk in them,
¶ but in them the rebellious stumble.

LSV Who [is] wise, and understands these? Prudent, and knows them? For upright are the ways of YHWH,
And the righteous go on in them,
And the transgressors stumble therein!”

FBV Who is wise to understand these things? Who has discernment in understanding them? The Lord's paths are right—the good follow them, but rebels trip and fall along the way.

T4T ⇔ Those who are wise will understand the things about which I have written.
⇔ Those who think well will pay careful attention to them.
⇔ The things that Yahweh wants us to do [MET] are right;
⇔ righteous people will conduct their lives adhering to them.
⇔ But those who rebel against Yahweh will be ruined.

LEB   • Who is wise that he can understand these things? Who is discerning that he knows them?
• The ways of Yahweh are right,
  • and the righteous walk in them;
   • but transgressors stumble in them.

BBE He who is wise will see these things; he who has good sense will have knowledge of them. For the ways of the Lord are straight, and the upright will go in them, but sinners will be falling in them.

Moff ⇔ [[Mark this, you who are wise,
⇔ note this, you men of sense.
⇔ The Eternal deals justly with all;
⇔ the upright fare well under him,
⇔ but sinners fall.]]

JPS (14-10) Whoso is wise, let him understand these things, whoso is prudent, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just do walk in them; but transgressors do stumble therein.

ASV Who is wise, that he may understand these things? prudent, that he may know them? for the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein.

DRA Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I will hear him, and I will make him flourish like a green fir tree: from me is thy fruit found.

YLT Who [is] wise, and doth understand these? Prudent, and knoweth them? For upright are the ways of Jehovah, And the righteous go on in them, And the transgressors stumble therein!

Drby Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? intelligent, and he shall know them? For the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein.

RV Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein.

SLT Who being wise, and he shall understand these things? and knowing, and he shall know them? for the ways of Jehovah are straight, and the just shall go in them: and they transgressing shall be weak in them.

Wbstr Who is wise, and he shall understand these things ? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall in them.

KJB-1769 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

KJB-1611 Who is wise, and hee shall vnderstand these things? prudent, and hee shall know them? for the wayes of the LORD are right, and the iust shall walke in them: but the transgressours shall fall therein.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above)

Bshps Who so is wise, shall vnderstande these thinges, and he that is right instruct wyll regarde them: for the wayes of the Lorde are righteous, such as be godly wyll walke in them: as for the wicked, they shall stumble therin.
(Whoso/Whoever is wise, shall understand these things, and he that is right instruct will regard them: for the ways of the Lord are righteous, such as be godly will walk in them: as for the wicked, they shall stumble therein.)

Gnva Ephraim shall say, What haue I to doe any more with idoles? I haue heard him, and looked vpon him: I am like a greene firre tree: vpon me is thy fruite founde.
(Ephraim shall say, What have I to do anymore with idols? I have heard him, and looked upon him: I am like a green fir tree: upon me is thy/your fruit found. )

Cvdl Who so is wyse, shal vnderstonde this: & he yt is right enstructe, wil regarde it. For ye wayes of the LORDE are rightuous, soch as be godly wil walke in them: As for the wicked, they wil stomble therin.
(Whoso/Whoever is wise, shall understood this: and he it is right enstructe, will regard it. For ye/you_all ways of the LORD are righteous, such as be godly will walk in them: As for the wicked, they will stumble therein.)

Wycl Effraym, what schulen idols do more to me? Y schal here him, and Y schal dresse him as a greene fir tree. Thi fruit is foundun of me.
(Ephraim, what should idols do more to me? I shall here him, and I shall dress him as a green fir tree. Thy/Your fruit is found of me.)

Luth Ephraim, was sollen mir weiter die Götzen? Ich will ihn erhören und führen; ich will sein wie eine grünende Tanne; an mir soll man deine Frucht finden.
(Ephraim, what/which should to_me further the idols? I will him/it hear and lead; I will be as/like a/one green_ending fir_tree; at/to to_me should man your fruit find.)

ClVg Ephraim, quid mihi ultra idola? Ego exaudiam, et dirigam eum ego ut abietem virentem; ex me fructus tuus inventus est.
(Ephraim, what to_me beyond/besides idols? I I_will_listen, and dirigam him I as abietem virentem; from me fruit your(sg) found it_is. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 14:9: Conclusion

Either Hosea or the LORD may be the speaker in this section. The section is a single verse. It is a type of wisdom saying that is similar to sayings in Proverbs.Wisdom sayings occur frequently in the genre of “wisdom literature.” Some examples of Old Testament wisdom literature are the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. It urges the reader to be wise by following the ways of the LORD.Hubbard (page 233) notes that this verse follows a literary pattern that is typical of admonitions in Proverbs. Imperatives or jussives (third person commands, usually singular) that show the way of wisdom are followed by reasons that support the commands, usually introduced by the word ‘for.’ See also the note on 9c.

Here are other examples of section headings:

Concluding Exhortation (NET)

Last Words

14:9a–b

(combined/reordered)

May those who are wise understand and thoughtfully respond to what is written here.

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

^9a Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

^9b whoever is discerning, let him know them.

^9a Whoever is wise, let him understand these things: ^9bwhoever is discerning, let him know them: In Hebrew, both these parallel lines begin with a question: “Who is wise/discerning?” This question introduces the topic of a wise/discerning person. There are two main ways to interpret the relationship of each topic to the next clause:

The topic is followed by an exhortation for a wise/discerning person to act in a certain way. In other words, if a person is wise/discerning, he should act in a certain way. For example:
Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. (NIV2011)
Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. (NAB) (BSB, ESV, GNT, NAB, NASB, NET, NIV2011, NJB, NLT, REB, RSV)
The topic is followed by a statement that describes the way that a wise/discerning person acts. In other words, if a person is wise/discerning, he will act in a certain way as a result. For example:
Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. (NIV)
Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. (NRSV) (CEV, GW, NCV, NIV, NJPS, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions and commentaries.Commentaries that support interpretation (1) include Dearman, Macintosh, Hubbard, Stuart, Garrett, and Andersen and Freedman. McComiskey supports interpretation (2). Carroll (pages 304–305) gives three interpretations for the two verbs: jussive sense, introducing a final clause, and expressing a consequence. He does not give a preference. The form of the Hebrew verbs used for “understand” and “know” normally indicates an exhortation, not simply a statement.The form of the verb used here is a jussive. See NET footnote (a).

14:9a

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

¶ If a person is wise, he should/must understand these things.
¶ May the people who are wise think about the words that are written here.

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things: Here are some other ways to translate this line:

Let the wise understand these words (NJB)

Let the wise consider these things (REB)

People who are wise should/must understand these things.

Whoever is wise: In this context the meaning of the Hebrew word is “prudent in religious affairs.”BDB (#2450). Dearman (pages 344–346) describes wisdom here as “a patterned, disciplined response to the ways [of YHWH’s modes of action and instruction] revealed.”

understand: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as understand means “understand, know (with the mind).” It refers to a person who has insight and who makes good use of knowledge.BDB (#4000). TWOT (#239) says that the Hebrew word “is a power of judgment and perceptive insight and is demonstrated in the use of knowledge.”

these things: This phrase refers to everything that Hosea has said in this book.Keil (page 108), Dearman (pages 344–346), Davies (page 309) and McComiskey (page 236). Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

these words (NJB)

what is written here (GNT)

14:9b

whoever is discerning, let him know them.

If a person is intelligent/sensible, he needs to know them.
May those who are prudent give attention to them.

whoever is discerning, let him know them: Here are some other ways to translate this line:

let the intelligent grasp their meaning (NJB)

and let the prudent acknowledge them (REB)

People who are sensible should/must know these things.

discerning: In Hebrew, this word is a form of the same word that the BSB translates as “understand” in 9a.The Niphal participle form. The meaning is similar: “intelligent, discreet, discerning, have understanding.”BDB (#4000) Niphal.

know them: See the note on know in 2:20b.TWOT (#838) says the word “expresses a multitude of shades of knowledge gained by the senses.” In this context, the word refers to a person gaining knowledge of the truth that Hosea has spoken. That includes learning what is true, being attentive to it and living by it.Macintosh (page 582) translates it as “observing, taking note of.”

The word them refers to “these things” in 9a.

General Comment on 14:9a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine these parallel statements into one line. For example:

May those who are wise understand what is written here, and may they take it to heart. (GNT)

14:9c–e

Notice the three poetic lines. The first line gives a topic “The ways of the LORD” and a statement about the topic. Those ways “are right.” The second and third lines give two different responses to the topic.

^9cFor the ways of the LORD are right;

^9dand the righteous walk in them

^9ebut the rebellious stumble in them.

14:9c

For the ways of the LORD are right,

For the ways of Yahweh are right/correct.
Because Yahweh’s paths are just and true.

For the ways of the LORD are right: The For introduces a reason or basis for what Hosea says in 9a–b.Literally kî. McComiskey (page 237) describes the word here as indicating “proximate cause.” The reason it is wise to understand Hosea’s words is because Yahweh’s ways are right. Stuart (pages 219–220) calls this line the “governing basis for both knowledge and behavior.” The reason that wise and discerning people should understand and know these things is because the ways of the LORD are right. Some versions, such as the BSB above, use the word “for” to introduce this reason. Some other leave the reason implied. For example:

The ways of the Lord are right; (NIV)

Use a natural way in your language to indicate that this clause is a reason.

the ways of the LORD: Here, as is common in wisdom writings, the word ways is used as a metaphor that compares behavior/conduct to a road or path.Hubbard (page 233). Here are some things this phrase means or describes:

The ways of the LORD are his own actions and behavior.HALOT (electronic edition, page 232) 5.
The ways of the LORD are what is morally and ethically right.Andersen and Freedman (pages 647–648), Macintosh (page 582).
The ways of the LORD are the basis of his guidance and requirements for his people.Dearman (pages 344–346), Keil (page 108), Carroll (pages 304–305), and Davies (page 311).

right: The Hebrew word means “just,” “upright.”HALOT (electronic edition, page 450) 5 and BDB (#3477) 3. The word describes actions that are correct/proper.

14:9d–e

and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them: These two lines refer to two ways that people respond to the LORD and to his teachings. Some people choose to follow him and his teachings, which leads to life. Other people choose to reject him and his teachings, which leads to death.See also Deuteronomy 30:19–20.

14:9d

and the righteous walk in them

Righteous people walk according to them.
People who are careful to do what is right walk faithfully in his paths.

the righteous walk in them: This line describes a righteous person as one who follows the ways of the LORD, his commands, and his high standard of moral conduct. Here are some other ways to translate this line:

the godly walk in them (NET)

righteous people live by them (GW)

Good people live by following them (NCV)

the righteous: In Hebrew, this word means “just,” “upright,” or “devout.” It describes people who have good character and who behave correctly according to the LORD’s moral and ethical standards.HALOT (electronic edition, page 1002) 5 and BDB (#3072) 3.

walk in them: This phrase is a metaphor that compares the way people think and behave to walking.HALOT (electronic edition, p. 247) 6 and BDB (#1980) II 3.

The words in them refer back to the ways of the LORD. Here are some other ways to translate the phrase walk in them:

live by them (GW)

live by following them (NCV)Stuart (page 219–220).

14:9e

but the rebellious stumble in them.

But rebellious people trip/stumble on/over them.
But those who reject Yahweh are destroyed because they refuse to follow them.

but the rebellious stumble in them: This line describes a rebellious person as one who has trouble because he/she does not follow the ways of the LORD. Here are some other ways to translate this line:

Rebellious people stumble over them. (GW)

But in those paths sinners stumble and fall (NLT)

But sinners stumble and fall because they ignore them. (GNT)

but: This word introduces a contrast. Here it indicates that there is a difference between rebellious people and righteous people. Introduce this contrast in a natural way in your language.

the rebellious: The Hebrew word means those who “transgress,” “rebel.”A participial noun = those who transgress. HALOT (electronic edition, page 981) 3a and BDB (#6586) 2. Here it refers to people who are disloyal to the LORD and his ways.

stumble in them: This phrase is a metaphor that compares rebellion against the LORD and his ways to physical stumbling and/or falling. The Hebrew word for stumble means stumble or “stagger.”HALOT (electronic edition, pages 502–503) and BDB (#3782) 1b. As in 9d, the words in them refer back to the ways of the LORD.

This phrase is figurative and means to stumble over the ways of the LORD, his commands, and his standard of moral conduct. A person who stumbles chooses not to obey the LORD’s commands. As a result, he suffers downfall and ruin.McComiskey (pages 236–237) says that “Ephraim’s ways will lead to death. Macintosh (page 582) says that they will suffer “utter ruin.”

Here the phrase does not refer only to a temporary or minor difficulty. These are Hosea’s final words that refer back to the book of Hosea as a whole. In these chapters, he includes many serious warnings. People who reject the LORD suffer ruin and death as a result. Here those warnings are in view. (See also Hosea 4:5a and 5:5a–c)

Parallel HOS 14:9