“I, wisdom, dwell in prudence”: “I, wisdom” is Wisdom speaking and identifying herself. This is more naturally expressed in English as “I am Wisdom” or “Wisdom is who I am.” Translations that have expressed this at the beginning of verse 11 often do not repeat it here. “Dwell in prudence”, as the Revised Standard Version footnote shows, is obscure, that is, uncertain as to its meaning. Various attempts have been made to modify the word rendered “dwell”. One change gives the sense of “neighbor” or “companion.” Contemporary English Version follows this and translates “Common Sense is my closest friend.” Another approach is to change the vowels of the word rendered “dwell” to give “I cause to dwell,” which carries the sense “I cause someone to possess.” New English Bible follows this change and translates “I bestow shrewdness. . .,” and this is retained by Revised English Bible. However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project rates the Hebrew as “B” and recommends keeping “dwell” with the meaning “I am at home with prudence.” “Prudence”, which first appeared in 1.4, refers to the use of good judgment, common sense, or good sense. New Jerusalem Bible follows the recommendation of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project by translating “I, Wisdom, share house with Discretion.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “I, Wisdom, live with intelligence.” If the personification is a problem for the language, it may be possible to shift to a simile and say, for example, “I am called Wisdom, and I live with common sense like two people living together.”

“And I find knowledge and discretion”: “Find” is something of a problem here. Some interpret the Hebrew word as meaning “I have in my power” or “I possess,” a meaning that Whybray claims is not otherwise found in biblical Hebrew. New English Bible changes the vowels of the word translated “find” to give “I cause to find” and translates “[I] show the way to. . .” (also Revised English Bible). Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends “I find” or “I find out [discover].” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy offers a model based on Hebrew Old Testament Text Project’s recommendation: “I know how to find the best advice.” “Knowledge” and “discretion” are as in 1.4.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .