20:15

This verse compares things that are valuable (20:15a) to something that is even more valuable (20:15b). The second line uses a metaphor to emphasize the value of wise words.

15a There is an abundance of gold and rubies,

15b but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

The overall meaning is that wise words are more valuable than gold or jewels.

20:15a

There is an abundance of gold and rubies: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally, “There is gold and an abundance of rubies.” This line means that gold and rubies both exist. The phrase an abundance describes primarily rubies, but the context implies that gold is also plentiful.

rubies: In Hebrew, this word may refer to “rubies” (NET Bible) or “red coral” (Revised English Bible). The meaning is uncertain. So some English versions use a more general term such as “costly stones” (English Standard Version) or “jewels” (New American Standard Bible).

If you use a specific term such as “rubies” or “red corals,” be sure that these items are considered to be extremely valuable. See how you translated the same word in 3:15a and 8:11a.

Another way to translate this line is:

Gold is plentiful, jewels abundant (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

20:15b

but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as lips of knowledge is a figure of speech that represents either knowledgeable/wise words or the person who speaks with knowledge and wisdom. In this context, the word knowledge means the same thing as “wisdom.” Some other ways to translate this figure of speech are:

• Keep the word lips or a similar figure of speech, such as “mouth.” For example:

wise lips (New American Bible)
-or-
a mouth that speaks wise words

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

wise speech (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
people who speak wisely/knowledgeably

Also see the examples in the next note.

The whole line is a metaphor. It compares lips of knowledge to a rare treasure. The similarity is that both wise words and treasures are very rare or valuable. Some other ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

wise lips are a precious ornament (New American Bible)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

words of knowledge are like a precious jewel (NET Bible)

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

Sensible words are far more valuable.

a rare treasure: In Hebrew, this phrase refers to a highly valued object that someone has made, such as a jeweled ornament or other piece of jewelry.

General Comment on 20:15a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these two lines. For example:

Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
If you know what you are talking about, you have something more valuable than gold or jewels. (Good News Translation)

Both these versions translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. See also 20:15a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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