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ParallelVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
Prov Intro C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 C26 C27 C28 C29 C30 C31
Prov 22 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27 V28 V29
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) because internalising my instructions will be worthwhile—
⇔ → then they’ll be easy for you to share with others.![]()
OET-LV If/because will_be_pleasant (cmp) you_will_keep_them in_your_of_belly they_will_be_prepared together on lips_of_your.
![]()
UHB כִּֽי־נָ֭עִים כִּֽי־תִשְׁמְרֵ֣ם בְּבִטְנֶ֑ךָ יִכֹּ֥נוּ יַ֝חְדָּ֗ו עַל־שְׂפָתֶֽיךָ׃ ‡
(kiy-nāˊīm kiy-tishmərēm bəⱱiţnekā yikkonū yaḩdāv ˊal-səfāteykā.)
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 καὶ ἐὰν ἐμβάλῃς αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου, εὐφρανοῦσί σε ἅμα ἐπὶ σοῖς χείλεσιν·
(kai ean embalaʸs autous eis taʸn kardian sou, eufranousi se hama epi sois ⱪeilesin; )
BrTr that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.
ULT For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your inner parts,
⇔ they are ready together on your lips.
UST Do this because if you remember these sayings
⇔ and if you are always ready to repeat them to others,
⇔ then you will be glad.
BSB for it is pleasing when you keep them within you
⇔ and they are constantly on your lips.
MSB (Same as BSB above)
OEB No OEB PROV book available
WEBBE For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you,
⇔ if all of them are ready on your lips.
WMBB (Same as above)
NET For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you,
⇔ and they are ready on your lips.
LSV For they are pleasant when you keep them in your heart,
They are prepared together for your lips.
FBV for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
T4T It will be good to ◄keep these things in your minds/always remember them►,
⇔ because if you do that, you will be able to quote/recite them to others.
LEB • For it is pleasant if you guard them within you ;[fn] together they will be ready upon your lips.
22:? Literally “in your belly/womb”
BBE For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
Moff ever keep them in mind,
⇔ all ready on your lips.
JPS For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; let them be established altogether upon thy lips.
ASV For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee,
⇔ If they be established together upon thy lips.
DRA Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:
YLT For they are pleasant when thou dost keep them in thy heart, They are prepared together for thy lips.
Drby For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee: they shall be together fitted on thy lips.
RV For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, if they be established together upon thy lips.
(For it is a pleasant thing if thou/you keep them within thee/you, if they be established together upon thy/your lips. )
SLT For pleasant things if thou shalt watch them in thy belly; they shall be prepared together for thy lips.
Wbstr For it is a pleasant thing if thou keepest them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
KJB-1769 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.[fn]
(For it is a pleasant thing if thou/you keep them within thee/you; they shall withal be fitted in thy/your lips. )
22.18 within…: Heb. in thy belly
KJB-1611 [fn]For it is a pleasant thing, if thou keepe them within thee; they shall withall be fitted in thy lippes.
(For it is a pleasant thing, if thou/you keep them within thee/you; they shall also/fully be fitted in thy/your lips.)
22:18 Heb. in thy belly.
Bshps For it is a pleasaunt thing if thou kepe them in thyne heart, and order them in thy lippes:
(For it is a pleasant thing if thou/you keep them in thine/your heart, and order them in thy/your lips:)
Gnva For it shalbe pleasant, if thou keepe them in thy bellie, and if they be directed together in thy lippes.
(For it shall be pleasant, if thou/you keep them in thy/your bellie, and if they be directed together in thy/your lips. )
Cvdl for it is a pleasaunt thinge yf thou kepe it in thine herte, and practise it in thy mouth:
(for it is a pleasant thing if thou/you keep it in thine/your heart, and practise it in thy/your mouth:)
Wycl That schal be fair to thee, whanne thou hast kept it in thin herte, and it schal flowe ayen in thi lippis.
(That shall be fair to thee/you, when thou/you hast kept it in thin heart, and it shall flow again in thy/your lips.)
Luth Denn es wird dir sanft tun, wo du sie wirst bei dir behalten, und werden miteinander durch deinen Mund wohl geraten,
(Because it becomes you/to_you(sg) soft/mild do/put, where you(sg) they/she/them will at/in you/to_you(sg) keep, and become together through your(s) mouth probably/well advised,)
ClVg quæ pulchra erit tibi cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis:
(which beautiful will_be to_you when/with servaveris her in/into/on belly your, and redundabit in/into/on lips yours: )
22:17-21 As with the prologue that opens the book of Proverbs (1:2-7) and the introductions to the individual discourses (see 1:8-9; 2:1-11), this section begins with an encouragement to listen. This wisdom is more than good practical advice—its purpose is to inspire trust in the Lord.
This section follows the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs (10:1–22:16). It differs in significant ways from this preceding section:These differences were summarized from a number of commentaries, including UBS (page 472), Waltke (2004, page 22), and Hubbard (page 351).
The preceding section has mostly two-line proverbs that are one verse in length. This section has proverbs of a different form. They are sayings that range from one to seven verses. Most of the sayings are two or three verses in length. Each saying will be marked as a separate paragraph in the Notes.
Many of the proverbs in the preceding section express a general principle. They are not addressed specifically to the readers. Most of the sayings here contain direct commands. They advise the reader or listener either to follow wise behavior or avoid foolish behavior. Most of the sayings also give a reason or motive for following the command.
As in chapters 1–9, the author addresses his reader or listener as a father who advises his son. He uses second person commands and pronouns (you(sing)). See the note on 23:15 for a list of verses where the words “my son” occur.
Some other headings for this section are:
Thirty Wise Sayings (CEV)
Words of the Wise (ESV)
Thirty Sayings of the Wise (NIV11)
Verse 22:20 mentions “thirty sayings,” but the Hebrew text itself does not number the sayings. Some versions that use the word “thirty” in the section heading also give a number as a separate heading for each saying. The GNT and CEV start numbering the sayings at 22:22. They have a total of thirty-one paragraphs. In these versions, the first paragraph (22:17–21) serves as an introduction to the thirty sayings (22:22–24:22).Scholars who identify 22:17–21 as the first saying include Hubbard (page 352), Fox (page 707), and Waltke (2004, page 22). Scholars who identify these verses as an introduction to the sayings that follow include Whybray (page 325) and Murphy (page 170). See also the NET footnote (b) on 22:16. Whether these introductory verses form the first saying or simply introduce the following sayings, all scholars agree that they function as an introduction to the whole section. Other versions, such as the NIV, NCV, and NLT, divide the paragraphs in the same way but do not have separate headings for each section. You may use either option in your translation.The NIV11 gives a number as a separate heading for each saying. But it counts the first paragraph as the first saying, and has a total of thirty paragraphs. Other versions have more or fewer paragraphs. For example, the ESV and NRSV have fifteen paragraphs. The NJB has thirty-four. Still other versions, such as the RSV, NET, and NJPS, do not group the verses into sayings or paragraphs.
For the convenience of those who decide to identify the number of each saying in their translation, the Notes will put the number in the paragraph headings, using the same numbering system as the GNT or CEV. These numbers will not be used in the Display.
This paragraph begins with an exhortation to an unnamed person. This person is identified in Hebrew with the masculine singular pronouns “you/your.” The author more specifically identifies him as “my son” in 23:15a and other verses. See point (c) in the preceding section summary. In verses where the author does not identify his “son” explicitly, the notes will refer to his “reader” or “listener,” depending on the context.
In 22:17, the author exhorts the listener to pay careful attention to what he will say. In 22:18, the author then gives the listener a reason for following this exhortation. In 22:19–21 he further describes the nature of the wise sayings as well as his purpose in writing them.Waltke (page 221).
In this paragraph, the Hebrew text uses plural pronouns to refer back to “the words of the wise” in 22:17. For example, “them” is used in 22:18. In some languages, a singular noun, such as “advice” may be used instead of “words.” In such cases, singular pronouns or phrases (for example, “it” or “this advice”) will need to be used to refer back to it. The meaning lines in the Display will give both options when they are relevant.
This verse gives a reason for following the commands in 22:17. If the listener obeys those commands, it will naturally lead to his following the last two steps in the learning process (underlined). When he does this, the overall result will be pleasant.
18afor it is pleasing when you keep them in you
18band they are constantly on your lips.
See the General Comment on 22:18a–b after the notes on 22:18b for a way to reorder these two lines.
for it is pleasing when you keep them within you
For you(sing) will be happy if you keep them/it in your mind/thoughts
It will give you pleasure when you remember this wise advice
for it is pleasing: The word that the BSB translates as for introduces the reason for listening to the speaker’s wise words and thinking about them. Some versions do not introduce the reason with an explicit word such as for. For example:
It is pleasant (GW)
Introduce this reason in a way that is natural in your language.
The word that the BSB translates as pleasing refers here to an action or situation that is pleasant or agreeable. It gives a person pleasure or happiness. For example:
it will be a delight (NJB)
In this context, the person who experiences this good result is probably the obedient listener. Some versions make this explicit. For example:
You will be glad (CEV)
when you keep them within you: The word that the BSB translates here as within you is literally “stomach” or “belly.” In this context, it refers figuratively to a person’s inner being, where he stores his thoughts.NIDOTTE (H1061). Some other ways to translate this clause are:
if you keep them in mind (GW)
to keep them deep within you (NJB)
In some languages, it may be more natural to leave the location implied. For example:
that you know these sayings (CEV)
if you remember them (GNT)
(combined/reordered)
Here is the reason: when this good advice is always in your(sing) mind and you are able to share it with other people, happiness will be the result.
and they are constantly on your lips.
and if you(sing) are prepared to use your mouth to repeat them/it.
and are able to tell it to someone else.
and they are constantly on your lips: This clause indicates that the listener is prepared to tell someone else what he has learned. The word lips is a figure of speech (metonymy) that refers to the action of speaking. In some languages, there may be a natural expression that uses a part of the body, such as the lips or tongue. For example:
they will be on the tip of your tongue (GW)
In other languages, it may be more natural to translate this clause without using a figure of speech. For example:
and can quote them (GNT)
you are ready to repeat them (NCV)
In some languages, it may be more natural to put the result at the end of these two lines. For example:
When you remember them and are able to tell them to others, it will give you much happiness.
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result
כִּֽי
that/for/because/then/when
For here indicates that what follows is a reason for the commands 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 these things because”
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
תִשְׁמְרֵ֣ם בְּבִטְנֶ֑ךָ
you,will_keep_them in,your_of,belly
Here Solomon speaks of remembering something as if it were an object that someone should keep inside that person’s inner parts. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you remember them”
Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns
תִשְׁמְרֵ֣ם & יִכֹּ֥נוּ
you,will_keep_them & ready
Here, them and they refer to “the words of the wise” and “my knowledge” in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you keep those words … those words are ready”
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
יִכֹּ֥נוּ יַ֝חְדָּ֗ו עַל־שְׂפָתֶֽיךָ
ready all on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in lips_of,your
This clause refers to an additional condition for it being pleasant. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly, as in the UST.
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
יִכֹּ֥נוּ יַ֝חְדָּ֗ו עַל־שְׂפָתֶֽיךָ
ready all on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in lips_of,your
Here Solomon speaks of someone always being able to repeat “the words of the wise” as if they were objects on someone’s lips that are ready to come out. if it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and if you are prepared to say them all”