18:6–7
In Hebrew, there is a chiasm that shows the close relationship between these two verses. The parallel phrases “A fool’s lips” and “his mouth” occur in 18:6a–b. In 18:7a–b they occur in the opposite order, “A fool’s mouth” and “his lips.”
The consequences of the fool’s words also intensify from one line to another. They result in a strife (18:6a), a beating (18:6b), ruin (18:7a), and death (18:7b). Use a natural way in your language to indicate the close relationship between these two verses.
18:6
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
6a
A fool’s lips bring him strife,
6b and his mouth invites a beating.
Both parallel lines describe the bad consequences of a fool’s words. The two lines also have a cause-effect relationship. A fool’s words cause strife. The effect or result of this strife is a beating.
18:6a
A fool’s lips: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as A fool’s lips is a figure of speech (metonymy). It represents the words that a fool speaks. For “fool,” see fool 2 in the Glossary.
bring him strife: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bring him is literally “brings.” The fool’s words “bring” or “cause” strife. This strife involves both the fool and one or more other people in the community.
strife: This word can refer generally to any argument or conflict. It can also refer specifically to a legal controversy or lawsuit. Try to translate so that either meaning can be understood. If you need to choose only one meaning, the general meaning is probably better. It applies to more situations.
Some ways to translate this line are:
When the stupid man talks, contention follows (Revised English Bible)
-or-
The words of fools start quarrels. (New Century Version)
-or-
By talking, a fool gets into an argument (God’s Word)
18:6b
his mouth: This phrase is also a metonymy. It has the same meaning as the parallel phrase “A fool’s lips” in 18:6a. The same figures of speech are used in 14:3a–b.
invites a beating: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as invites is literally “calls for” or “summons.” In this context, this word is a figure of speech (personification). It means that the fool’s words deserve a beating. They produce in other people the desire to beat him. The mouth of a fool does not literally call for a beating.
a beating: This word may refer to a whipping administered by officials in the community. It may also indicate that the fool is struck or beaten by the person with whom he was quarrelling.
Some ways to translate this line are:
his words provoke blows (Revised English Bible)
-or-
They make people want to beat them. (New Century Version)
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