PROV 12:4 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.)

Key: khaki:verbs.
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 Γυνὴ ἀνδρεία στέφανος τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς· ὥσπερ δὲ ἐν ξύλῳ σκώληξ, οὕτως ἄνδρα ἀπόλλυσι γυνὴ κακοποιός.
(Gunaʸ andreia stefanos tōi andri autaʸs; hōsper de en xulōi skōlaʸx, houtōs andra apollusi gunaʸ kakopoios. )

BrTr A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.

ULT A wife of worth is the crown of her husband,
⇔ but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

UST A virtuous wife causes people to praise her husband,
⇔ but a disgraceful wife destroys her husband like a disease that destroys his bones.

OEB No OEB PROV book available

WEBBE A worthy woman is the crown of her husband,
⇔ but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET A noble wife is the crown of her husband,
⇔ but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.

LSV A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband,
And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.

FBV A good wife is a crown for her husband, but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones.

T4T ⇔ A good wife is one who causes her husband to be greatly honored,
⇔ but a wife who does things that cause her husband to be ashamed will destroy him like [SIM] cancer destroys his bones.

LEB • A woman of strength[fn] is the crown of her master,[fn] but like rot in his bones is she who brings shame.

12:? Or “honor”

12:? Or “lord, owner”

BBE A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.

Moff A good wife is an honour to her husband:
⇔ a shameless wife rots all his strength away.

JPS A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but she that doeth shamefully is as rottenness in his bones.

ASV A worthy woman is the crown of her husband;
⇔ But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

DRA A diligent woman is a crown to her husband: and she that doth things worthy of confusion, is a rottenness in his bones.

YLT A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.

Drby A woman of worth is a crown to her husband; but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

RV A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
(A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh/makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. )

SLT A woman of strength is a crown to her husband: and she causing shame, as rottenness in his bones.

Wbstr A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

KJB-1769 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
(A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh/makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. )

KJB-1611 A vertuous woman is a crowne to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed, is as rottennesse in his bones.
(A power/strengthous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh/makes ashamed, is as rottenness in his bones.)

Bshps A huswifely woman is a crowne vnto her husbande: but she that behaueth her selfe vnhonestly, is as corruption in his bones.
(A huswifely woman is a crown unto her husband: but she that behaveth herself unhonestly, is as corruption in his bones.)

Gnva A vertuous woman is the crowne of her husband: but she that maketh him ashamed, is as corruption in his bones.
(A power/strengthous woman is the crown of her husband: but she that maketh/makes him ashamed, is as corruption in his bones. )

Cvdl A stedfast woman is a crowne vnto hir hu?bonde: but she that behaueth herself vnhonestly, is a corrupcion in his bones.
(A steadfast woman is a crown unto her hu?bonde: but she that behaveth herself unhonestly, is a corruption in his bones.)

Wycl A diligent womman is a coroun to hir hosebond; and rot is in the boonys of that womman, that doith thingis worthi of confusioun.
(A diligent woman is a crown to her husband; and rot is in the bones of that woman, that doth/does things worthy of confusion.)

Luth Ein fleißig Weib ist eine Krone ihres Mannes; aber eine Unfleißige ist ein Eiter in seinem Gebeine.
(A diligent/hardworking woman is a/one crown theirs/hers man's; but a/one Unfleißige is a Eiter in his bones.)

ClVg Mulier diligens corona est viro suo; et putredo in ossibus ejus, quæ confusione res dignas gerit.[fn]
(Woman diligens corona it_is to_the_man his_own; and rotting in/into/on bones his, which confusion thing worthys wears. )

12.4 Mulier. Ad litteram, mulier bona et casta, etc., usque ad putredo pravi dogmatis corrumpit.

12.4 Woman. To literally, woman good(s) and casta, etc., until to rotting pravi dogmatis corrumpit.

SOTN 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

12:4

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

^4a A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,

^4bbut she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

This proverb contrasts a good wife with a wife who disgraces her husband. The effect of these two kinds of wives on their husbands is described by a metaphor in 12:4a and a simile in 12:4b.

12:4a

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,

A good wife is like a crown on her husband’s head,
A capable wife who has good character causes her husband to be honored as a crown gives honor to a king.
If a wife is clever and good, her husband will be happy and respected.

A wife of noble character: The word noble usually means “strength” or “power.” In this context, it indicates a wife who has both strength of character and competence. Most versions use only one expression to describe her. For example:

a capable wife (NJPS)

a worthy wife (NLT)

A good wife (GNT)

a wife with strength of character (GW)

Some languages may have one expression that includes both meanings of the Hebrew word. If not, you may use more than one term. For example:

a wife who is clever and good

is her husband’s crown: In this metaphor, a good wife is compared to a crown on her husband’s head. A crown is a symbol of honor. So a wife who is her husband’s crown causes him to be honored or respected by other people.

If this metaphor is not natural or clear in your language, some other ways to translate it are:

Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
A good wife is like a crown for her husband (NCV)
Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
A capable and virtuous wife brings her husband respect/honor.
Use an idiom in your language that expresses the right meaning. For example:
A good wife is her husband’s pride and joy (GNT)

12:4b

but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

but a wife who brings shame upon her husband is like a disease that rots/destroys his bones/health.
But a woman who disgraces her spouse is like a sickness that ruins his health.
But if a wife’s behavior shames her husband, she will ruin his influence just like a bone disease takes away his strength.

but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones: This simile compares a wife who disgraces her husband to decay in his bones. The similarity is that the disgraceful wife steadily ruins her husband’s happiness, reputation, and influence. In the same way, a serious disease ruins his health.

In some languages, it may be helpful to make this similarity explicit. For example:

But if a wife’s behavior shames her husband, she will ruin his reputation just as a bone disease would ruin his health.

she who causes shame: This phrase refers to a wife who brings shame or disgrace to her husband or ruins his reputation.

is like decay in his bones: In Old Testament times, people regarded the bones as the source of the body’s health and strength.NIDOTTE (H6795). So the expression that the BSB translates as decay (the NRSV has “rottenness”) in his bones refers to a disease which slowly but steadily takes away a person’s health and strength. A possible modern equivalent of this condition is cancer. For example:

rottenness in his bones (NRSV)

bone cancer (GW)

a cancer in his bones (GNT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

אֵֽשֶׁת־חַ֭יִל

wife_of excellent

Here Solomon is using the possessive form to describe a wife that is characterized by worth. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “A worthy wife”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

עֲטֶ֣רֶת בַּעְלָ֑⁠הּ

crown_of her_husband_of,of

Here Solomon refers to a woman causing her husband to be honored as if she were his crown. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “brings great honor to her husband” or “honors her husband as if she were his crown”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

וּ⁠כְ⁠רָקָ֖ב בְּ⁠עַצְמוֹתָ֣י⁠ו מְבִישָֽׁה

and_[is],like,rottenness in,his_of,bones brings_shame

Solomon is saying that a woman who causes shame for her husband is like rottenness in his bones because she gradually ruins his life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “but she who causes shame is what makes his life miserable”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

וּ⁠כְ⁠רָקָ֖ב בְּ⁠עַצְמוֹתָ֣י⁠ו

and_[is],like,rottenness in,his_of,bones

Here, rottenness refers to a disease like cancer that slowly destroys a person’s body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “is like cancer in his bones”

Note 5 topic: writing-pronouns

בְּ⁠עַצְמוֹתָ֣י⁠ו

in,his_of,bones

Here, the pronoun his refers to the husband of the woman who causes shame. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “in her husband’s bones”

Parallel PROV 12:4

Section 10:1–22:16: This is the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs

12:4

12:4a

12:4b