16:14

There are no parallel parts that clearly contrast or are similar in meaning. The second line probably describes an action that a person can take to counteract or avoid the dangerous situation in 16:14a.

14a The wrath of a king is a messenger of death,

14b but a wise man will pacify it.

16:14a

The wrath of a king is a messenger of death: This clause is a metaphor. The wrath of a king is compared to an official messenger who delivers a death sentence. Such a messenger not only announced that someone was condemned to die, but he often carried out the punishment as well. So this line means that when a king becomes angry, his anger shows (sends a message) that he intends to have someone killed. Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

The king’s anger is like a messenger that makes known that someone will soon be executed.

• Give the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

An angry king can put someone to death (New Century Version)

16:14b

but a wise man will pacify it: There are at least two ways to understand the relationship between the wise man’s response in 16:14b and the king’s anger in 16:14a:

• People expect that a death sentence issued by an angry king will usually be carried out. The wise man’s ability to appease a king’s anger contrasts with this expectation. For example:

but a wise man will appease it (New International Version)

• People realize that a potential death sentence issued by an angry king is very serious. The wise man’s attempt to appease a king’s anger may be a logical result of this serious situation. For example:

and whoever is wise will appease it (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
so a wise person will try to make him happy (New Century Version)

Either of these relationships fits the context. Express the relationship between these two lines in a way that seems logical in your language.

will pacify it: The word pacify here means to appease or calm or cool down the king’s anger.

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