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Proverbs 3:21-23
New English Translation
Proverbs 3:21-23
New English Translation
21 My child, do not let them[a] escape from your sight;
safeguard sound wisdom and discretion.[b]
22 So they will become life for your soul,[c]
and grace around your neck.[d]
23 Then you will walk on your way with security,
and you will not stumble.[e]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:21 tn The object of the verb “escape” is either (1) wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in vv. 13-20 or (2) “wisdom and discretion” in the second colon of this verse. Several English versions transpose the terms “wisdom and discretion” from the second colon into the first colon for the sake of clarity and smoothness (e.g., RSV, NRSV, NIV, TEV, CEV). NIV takes the subject from the second colon and reverses the clauses to clarify that.
- Proverbs 3:21 tn Or: “purpose,” “power of devising.”
- Proverbs 3:22 tn The noun נַפְשֶׁךָ (nafshekha, “your soul”) is a synecdoche of part (= inner soul) for the whole person (= you); see BDB 600 s.v. 4.a.2.
- Proverbs 3:22 tn Heb “for your neck.” Cf. 1:9.
- Proverbs 3:23 sn Heb “You will not strike your foot.” What the foot strikes (cf. Ps 91:12 “against a stone”) is omitted but something is implied. This is a figure (hypocatastasis) comparing stumbling on a stone in the path to making serious mistakes in life that bring harm.
New English Translation (NET)
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