Parallel PROV 20:17

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

Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,

• Food that a person steals is delicious/tasty at first,

• What you^(sing) gain from cheating your fellowman may please you like delicious food does,

• If people deceive others in order to get something, they will enjoy it for a while.

but later his mouth is full of gravel.

• but in the end he will realize that he is chewing only gravel/sand.

• but later, the result will be very unpleasant. It will be like your^(sing) mouth is full of dirt and stones.

• But eventually, they will experience pain and trouble instead of pleasure.

General Comment on 20:17a–b

Some other ways to translate the figures of speech in these two lines are:

• Keep the synecdoche or use a simile. Use terms that refer specifically to bread/food, a pleasant taste, and gravel/sand in the mouth. For example:

  ^17aBread got by fraud may taste good, ^17bbut afterwards it turns to grit in the mouth. (REB)

  ^17aStolen food may taste sweet at first, ^17bbut later it will feel like a mouth full of gravel. (NCV)

• Use a simile. For example:

  ^17aWhat you get by dishonesty you may enjoy like the finest food, ^17bbut sooner or later it will be like a mouthful of sand. (GNT)

• Translate the meaning without using figures of speech. For example:

  ^17aAt first, the things that a person has gained by cheating others may give him pleasure. ^17bBut eventually, the pleasure will be replaced by regret and trouble.