PROV 20:10 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: 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 Στάθμιον μέγα καὶ μικρὸν, καὶ μέτρα δισσὰ, ἀκάθαρτα ἐνώπιον Κυρίου καὶ ἀμφότερα, καὶ ὁ ποιῶν αὐτά.
(Stathmion mega kai mikron, kai metra dissa, akatharta enōpion Kuriou kai amfotera, kai ho poiōn auta. )

BrTr A large and small weight, and [fn]divers measures, are even both of them unclean before the Lord; and so is he that makes them.

ULT Stone and stone, ephah and ephah
⇔ are an abomination to Yahweh, both the two of them.

UST Yahweh detests people dishonestly using both weights that differ and measurements that differ to benefit themselves.

20:10 Hebrew A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah

OEB No OEB PROV book available

WEBBE Differing weights and differing measures,
⇔ both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Diverse weights and diverse measures –
⇔ the Lord abhors both of them.

LSV A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah,
Even both of them [are] an abomination to YHWH.

FBV The Lord hates both dishonest weights and dishonest measures.

T4T ⇔ Yahweh detests people who use weights that are not right
⇔ and measures that are not correct.

LEB • Stone and stone, measure and measure, both of them[fn] are an abomination of Yahweh.

20:? Literally “also the two of them”

BBE Unequal weights and unequal measures, they are all disgusting to the Lord.

Moff Different weights and different measures,
⇔ the Eternal loathes them alike,

JPS Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

ASV Diverse weights, and diverse measures,
⇔ Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

DRA Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.

YLT A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah, Even both of them [are] an abomination to Jehovah.

Drby Divers weights, divers measures, even both of them are abomination to Jehovah.

RV Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
(Divers weights, and diverse/various measures, both of them alike are an abomination/disgusting_thing to the LORD. )

SLT A stone and stone, an ephah and ephah, an abomination of Jehovah, also they two.

Wbstr Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

KJB-1769 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.[fn][fn]
(Divers weights, and diverse/various measures, both of them are alike abomination/disgusting_thing to the LORD. )

20.10 Divers weights: Heb. A stone and a stone

20.10 divers measures: Heb. an ephah and an ephah

KJB-1611 [fn][fn]Diuers weights, and diuers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
(Diuers weights, and diverse/various measures, both of them are alike abomination/disgusting_thing to the LORD.)

20:10 Hebr. a stone, and a stone.

20:10 Hebr. an ephah, and an ephah.

Bshps Two maner of wayghtes or two maner of measures, both these are abhomination vnto the Lorde.
(Two manner of weights or two manner of measures, both these are abomination/disgusting_thing unto the Lord.)

Gnva Diuers weightes, and diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.
(Diuers weights, and diverse/various measures, both these are even abomination/disgusting_thing unto the Lord. )

Cvdl To vse two maner of weightes, or two maner of measures, both these are abhominable vnto the LORDE.
(To use two manner of weights, or two manner of measures, both these are abominable/revolting unto the LORD.)

Wycl A weiyte and a weiyte, a mesure and a mesure, euer eithir is abhomynable at God.
(A weight and a weight, a measure and a measure, ever either is abominable/revolting at God.)

Luth Mancherlei Gewicht und Maß ist beides Greuel dem HErr’s.
(Mancherlei Gewicht and measure(n)/extent is both abomination/disgusting_thing to_him LORD’s.)

ClVg Pondus et pondus, mensura et mensura: utrumque abominabile est apud Deum.
(Pondus and weight, measure and measure: both abominable it_is at God. )

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

20:10

This verse describes the LORD’s attitude toward merchants or traders who cheat others when they buy or sell.

^10aDiffering weights and unequal measures—

^10bboth are detestable to the LORD.

In Hebrew, this verse is a single sentence. The ESV shows this structure more literally. It has:

^10aUnequal weights and unequal measures

^10bare both alike an abomination to the Lord.

See 11:1 and 20:23 for notes on the same topic.

20:10a

Differing weights and unequal measures—

When people cheat others by using weighing or measuring devices that are not correct/accurate,
The use of inaccurate scales and measuring containers

Differing weights and unequal measures: The phrase Differing weights refers to the weights that were used when weighing merchandise on a balance scale. The phrase unequal measures refers to containers or units of measure used for grain. A dishonest trader used a heavier/larger weight or measure when buying something and a lighter/smaller weight or measure when selling it.

These phrases are figures of speech (metonymy). They represent the practice of using differing weights and measures to cheat people. They also represent the dishonest people who cheat others in this way. See the General Comment on 20:10a–b for ways to translate these figures of speech.

20:10a–b

(combined/reordered)

Yahweh detests buyers and sellers who use scales with false weights or measures that are not accurate.
Yahweh is repulsed/nauseated by scales that show the wrong weight and containers that hold the wrong amount.

20:10b

both are detestable to the LORD.

Yahweh is disgusted.
is abhorrent/disgusting to Yahweh.

both are detestable to the LORD: The phrase that the BSB translates as both are detestable to the LORD is literally “abomination of the LORD.” For more information, see 11:1a, where the same phrase is used.

General Comment on 20:10a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the two verse parts. Here are some ways to translate the figures of speech, using both orders:

Keep the metonymy. For example:
False weights and unequal measures—the Lord detests double standards of every kind. (NLT)
The LORD is repulsed/nauseated by scales that show the wrong weight and containers that hold the wrong amount.
Translate the meaning of the metonymy. For example:
The Lord hates people who use dishonest weights and measures. (GNT)
Using inaccurate scales and measuring containers is abhorrent/disgusting to the LORD.
The LORD is disgusted when people cheat others by using weighing or measuring devices that are not correct/accurate.

See also 20:10a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

אֶ֣בֶן וָ֭⁠אֶבֶן אֵיפָ֣ה וְ⁠אֵיפָ֑ה

stone and,a_weight measure and,a_measure

Stone and stone here refers to two different stones used for weighing goods (See this use of stone in [11:1](../11/01.md)). The phrase ephah and ephah refers to two different measurements used for measuring amounts of grain. Solomon is referring to different weights and measurements that a merchant pretends are the same in order to deceive a customer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Unequal weights and unequal measurements”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

אֶ֣בֶן וָ֭⁠אֶבֶן אֵיפָ֣ה וְ⁠אֵיפָ֑ה

stone and,a_weight measure and,a_measure

Solomon implies that these unequal weights and measurements are used to benefit the dishonest person who uses them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Unequal weights and unequal measurements that people use dishonestly”

Note 3 topic: translate-bvolume

אֵיפָ֣ה וְ⁠אֵיפָ֑ה

measure and,a_measure

An ephah is a measurement of volume equivalent to 22 liters of dry solids (such as grain). However, Solomon is using the word here to refer to volume measurement in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a general expression in your translation for volume measurement. Alternatively, Alternate translation: “measurement and measurement”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת יְ֝הוָ֗ה

abomination_of YHWH

See how you translated this phrase in [3:32](../03/32.md).

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

שְׁנֵי⁠הֶֽם

both_of,of_them