PROV 24:26 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 χείλη δὲ φιλήσουσιν ἀποκρινόμενα λόγους ἀγαθούς.
(ⱪeilaʸ de filaʸsousin apokrinomena logous agathous. )

OEB No OEB PROV book available

WEBBE An honest answer
⇔ is like a kiss on the lips.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Like a kiss on the lips
⇔ is the one who gives an honest answer.

LSV He who is returning straightforward words kisses lips.

FBV An honest answer is a kiss on the lips.

T4T Those who answer others honestly show that they are truly their friends [IDM].

LEB • He will kiss the lips, he who gives an honest answer.

BBE He gives a kiss with his lips who gives a right answer.

Moff He is a true friend
⇔ who is honest with you:

JPS He kisseth the lips that giveth a right answer.

ASV He kisseth the lips
⇔ Who giveth a right answer.

DRA He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words.

YLT Lips he kisseth who is returning straightforward words.

Drby He kisseth the lips who giveth a right answer.

RV He kisseth the lips that giveth a right answer.
(He kisseth the lips that giveth/gives a right answer. )

SLT He shall kiss the lips turning back right words.

Wbstr Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

KJB-1769 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.[fn]
(Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth/gives a right answer. )

24.26 that…: Heb. that answereth right words

KJB-1611 [fn]Euery man shall kisse his lippes that giueth a right answere.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above apart from footnotes)

24:26 Heb. that answereth right words.

Bshps Euery man shall kisse his lippes that geueth a good aunswere.
(Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth/gives a good answer.)

Gnva They shall kisse the lippes of him that answereth vpright wordes.
(They shall kiss the lips of him that answereth upright words. )

Cvdl He maketh him self to be well loued, that geueth a good answere.
(He maketh/makes him self to be well loved, that giveth/gives a good answer.)

Wycl He that answerith riytful wordis, schal kisse lippis.
(He that answerith rightful words, shall kiss lips.)

Luth Eine richtige Antwort ist wie ein lieblicher Kuß.
(A/One correcte answer is as/like a lovelier Kiss.)

ClVg Labia deosculabitur qui recta verba respondet.[fn]
(lips the_godsculabitur who/which straight words responds. )

24.26 Labia deosculabitur. Osculum pacis et amoris signum est, etc., usque ad in melius conversos.

24.26 lips the_godsculabitur. Osculum of_peace and of_love sign/signal it_is, etc., until to in/into/on better conversos.

SOTN SIL Open Translation Notes:

Section 24:23–34: Here are more sayings of wise people

The first verse (24:23a) indicates that this section is an additional list of sayings of wise people. This list has been added to the preceding section (22:17–24:22). The sayings range from one to five verses. Each saying will be marked as a separate paragraph in the Notes. As in the English versions, the sayings in this section will not be numbered.

Three of the sayings (24:23b–25, 24:26, and 24:30–34) are general principles. They are not addressed specifically to the readers. See the notes on 10:2 for ways to translate this kind of proverb.

In the other two sayings (24:27 and 24:28–29), the author uses second person commands and pronouns (you^(sing)). Unlike the preceding section, he does not use the phrase “my son” explicitly in these commands.

Some other headings for this section are:

More Wise Sayings (GNT)

More Sayings of the Wise (ESV)

These Are Further Words of Wise People

Paragraph 24:26

Versions divide the paragraphs differently here:

Some versions start a new paragraph with this verse. (BSB, NCV, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, GNT)
Some versions include this verse as part of 24:23b–25. (ESV, GW, NASB, NRSV, REB)

It is recommended that you start a new paragraph here. “An honest answer” (24:26) could refer to the verdict of a just judge (24:23b–25). But it is more likely that this verse is a separate saying that has to do with true friendship.

24:26

An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.

¶ A truthful/honest answer is like the kiss/embrace of a friend.
¶ If someone is really your^(sing) friend, he will answer you truthfully.

An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips: In Hebrew, this verse is more literally “the one who returns right/honest words kisses the lips.”This is a slight adaptation of the NET note on this verse. In Hebrew, the actual clause order is “he kisses lips one who returns right/honest words.” According to Fox (page 771), the Hebrew word order, with the subject last, creates suspense. It is like a riddle in which the hearer has to wait for the answer: “Who gives true kisses? One who answers to the point—even if his words are blunt.” This verse is a metaphor. It describes a person who answers honestly or truthfully. It compares him to someone who kisses another person on the lips.

a kiss on the lips: Among the Israelites, friends normally kissed each other on the cheek. This is the only verse in the OT that specifies a kiss on the lips.The Hebrew text of Genesis 41:40 has a similar expression (“kiss your mouth”). No English versions translate this figurative expression literally. They all have something like “obey your commands.” Most scholars think that this action was a sign of true friendship and loyalty.These scholars include Ross (page 1077), Waltke (pages 292–293), Toy (page 453), Murphy (page 185–186), and Fox (page 771).

In many cultures, a literal translation of this complex figure of speech would not be understood correctly. It would have incorrect sexual or romantic connotations. Some ways to translate this verse are:

Change the metaphor to a simile. Specify that kiss is an act of friendship. Do not specify on the lips. For example:
A straightforward answer is as good as a kiss of friendship. (REB)
When you answer a friend truthfully, it is like a kiss.
Change the metaphor to a simile. Use a similar action, such as “embrace,” that signifies friendship.The following example is adapted from UBS (page 533). For example:
A straightforward answer is like the embrace of a friend.
Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
An honest answer is a sign of true friendship. (GNT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: translate-symaction

שְׂפָתַ֥יִם יִשָּׁ֑ק

lips gives_a_kiss

Here, kissing someone’s lips is a symbolic action to show true friendship and loyalty. If this would not be clear to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action in the text or in a footnote. Alternate translation: “He confirms his loyalty by kissing one’s lips”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב דְּבָרִ֥ים נְכֹחִֽים

gives answer honest

Here the writer refers to someone speaking an honest reply to someone else as if he were returning straightforward words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who speaks an honest reply”

Parallel PROV 24:26

Section 24:23–34: Here are more sayings of wise people

Paragraph 24:26

24:26