PROV 23:3 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

23:3 OSHB note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

23:3 OSHB note: We have abandoned or added a ketib/qere relative to BHS. In doing this we agree with L against BHS.

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 μὴ ἐπιθύμει τῶν ἐδεσμάτων αὐτοῦ, ταῦτα γὰρ ἔχεται ζωῆς ψευδοῦς.
(maʸ epithumei tōn edesmatōn autou, tauta gar eⱪetai zōaʸs pseudous. )

UST Do not crave the expensive food that the ruler has
⇔ because that ruler is using that food to deceive you.

OEB No OEB PROV book available

WEBBE Don’t be desirous of his dainties,
⇔ since they are deceitful food.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Do not crave that ruler’s delicacies,
⇔ for that food is deceptive.

LSV Have no desire to his delicacies, seeing it [is] lying food.

FBV Don't be greedy for his fancy food, for it's offered with deceptive motives.[fn]

23:3 Literally, “for it is the bread of lies.”

T4T Do not want to eat a lot of his fine food,
⇔ because he may be trying to trick you.

LEB • Do not desire his delicacies, for[fn] it is food of deception.

23:? Hebrew “and”

BBE Have no desire for his delicate food, for it is the bread of deceit.

Moff for he deceives you as he feeds you.

JPS Be not desirous of his dainties; seeing they are deceitful food.

ASV Be not desirous of his dainties;
⇔ Seeing they are deceitful food.

DRA Be not desirous of his meats, in which is the bread of deceit.

YLT Have no desire to his dainties, seeing it [is] lying food.

Drby Be not desirous of his dainties; for they are deceitful food.

RV Be not desirous of his dainties; seeing they are deceitful meat.

SLT Thou shalt not long for his dainties: and it is the bread of lies.

Wbstr Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful food.

KJB-1769 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

KJB-1611 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitfull meate.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above)

Bshps Be not desirous of his daintie meates, for meate begyleth and deceaueth.
(Be not desirous of his daintie meats, for meat begyleth and deceiveth.)

Gnva Be not desirous of his deintie meates: for it is a deceiuable meate.
(Be not desirous of his deintie meats: for it is a deceiuable meat. )

Cvdl and yf thou wilt rule thine owne self, be not ouer gredy of his meate, for meate begyleth and disceaueth.
(and if thou/you wilt/will rule thine/your own self, be not over greedy of his meat, for meat begyleth and deceiveth/deceives.)

Wycl desire thou not of his metis, in whom is the breed of `a leesing.
(desire thou/you not of his meats, in whom is the bread of a leesing.)

Luth Wünsche dir nicht seiner Speise, denn es ist falsch Brot.
(Wünsche you/to_you(sg) not his food, because/than it is false/incorrect bread.)

ClVg Ne desideres de cibis ejus, in quo est panis mendacii.[fn]
(Don't you_want from/about foods his, in/into/on where it_is bread/food lies. )

23.3 Ne desideres, hoc est, ne desideres ejus auscultare sermonibus, qui dulcedine mendacii auditores fallit.

23.3 Don't you_want, this it_is, not you_want his auscultare conversations, who/which sweetness lies listeners fallit.

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 22:17–24:22: Here are thirty sayings of wise people

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.

Paragraph 23:1–3 Saying 6

In this saying, the author continues to address his readers as a father who advises his son. He advises the young man to be careful in the way he conducts himself when he eats with an important person. It is implied that the host may have prepared the plentiful and tasty food in order to test the young man’s self-control.Longman (page 422–423), Murphy (page 174).

The first two verses do not contain parallel parts.

23:3

The first line of this verse gives advice that is similar to 23:2. The second line gives a reason for heeding that advice. The underlined parts are similar in meaning. They refer to the same thing.

Do not crave his delicacies,

for that food is deceptive.

23:3a

Do not crave his delicacies,

Do not be greedy for his delicious food,
Do not crave/desire^(sing) the many kinds of tasty food that he has prepared/served.

Do not crave his delicacies: This clause indicates that the young man should not strongly desire the tasty or special food that the ruler has served. Another way to translate this advice is:

Don’t be greedy for the fine food he serves (GNT)

In some languages, it may be clear from the context that the tasty food is his or that he has served it. If that is true in your language, it may be more natural to leave this information implied. For example:

Do not long to eat the many tasty foods

23:3b

for that food is deceptive.

because he may be using the food to test/trick you^(sing) in order to discover your character.
The reason he invited you to eat with him may not be what you expect.

for that food is deceptive: This part of the verse gives the reason for not craving the tasty food that the ruler has provided. In some languages, it may be more natural not to introduce this reason with a specific word such as for or “because.” For example:

they are deceitful food (NAB)

that food is deceptive: In Hebrew, this figurative expression is literally “it is food of lies.” It refers here to a situation in which everything is not what it appears to be. As a result, the young man who is eating with the ruler may be deceived in some way. The exact nature of the “deception” is ambiguous. It could involve the host, the context of the feast, or the food itself:Most versions translate this phrase fairly literally as “deceptive/deceitful food.” Such phrases are ambiguous, and there are many possible interpretations. The CEV’s translation “It may not be so tasty” seems to refer to the literal food quality. Whybray (page 332) thinks that the phrase refers to “the unfortunate physical consequences of eating too much rich food.” Fox (page 720), Garrett (page 195), Hubbard (page 357), and McKane (page 382) identify the food as deceptive because it provides an occasion in which the young man may show greed or lack of self-control and thus ruin his opportunities for a good career. Others focus on the “deceitful” (Toy, page 429) or “sinister” (Cohen, page 152) purposes that lie behind the host’s apparent hospitality. Waltke (page 239) and Murphy (pages 174–175) understand this phrase to refer to the hidden or private intentions of the host. The main interpretations overlap in meaning, so the Notes have presented this issue as one or more ways to clarify the nature of the deception.

The motives of the host are “deceptive.” It may seem like he is being hospitable and is showing special favor to the young man. In fact, his real motive may be to test the young man’s character to see whether he is greedy or lacks self-control. For example:
he may be trying to trick you (GNT)
he may have a hidden purpose in serving you that good food
The context of the feast is “deceptive.” The young man may think that a feast is an occasion where people can eat as much good food as they want and enjoy themselves. In fact, the feast may be an occasion in which his good judgment or character will be evaluated. For example:
It is possible that the reason/purpose for the feast is not what you expect.
The function of the food is “deceptive.” Normally, a person expects tasty food to provide both pleasure and nutrition. In fact, the food also provides a temptation to be greedy and eat too much. It also gives an opportunity to show restraint and good manners. For example:
because this is food that deceives you (GW)
because that food might be a trick (NCV)

Try to translate this figurative expression so that your readers will understand the nature of the deception as described in one or more of (a), (b), and (c).

Parallel PROV 23:3

Section 22:17–24:22: Here are thirty sayings of wise people

Paragraph 23:1–3 Saying 6

23:3

23:3a

23:3b