“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb”: This saying is related to the thoughts expressed in verses 21 and 23. The Hebrew expression translated “Pleasant words” is also used in 15.26, where Revised Standard Version says “words . . . are pleasing.” Both Contemporary English Version and Good News Translation say “kind words.” Revised Standard Version supplies “like” to make this line a simile. The Hebrew has “Pleasant words [are] flowing honey,” in which the element of comparison is expressed in the next line. For “honeycomb” see 5.3, where “honey” is used.

“Sweetness to the soul and health to the body”: The element of comparison between “Pleasant words” and “honey” is that they both bring refreshment or healing. “The soul” translates the Hebrew nefesh and refers here to the throat or to the palate or taste in particular (so Good News Translation). “Health” renders the same word used in 14.30. “Body” is the same Hebrew word rendered more literally by Revised Standard Version as “bones” in 3.8 and 12.4. Bible en français courant renders this saying “Kind words are like honey which is pleasant to the taste and good for the health.”

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 .