13:5

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

5a
The righteous hate falsehood,

5b but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

The parts in bold print do not contrast exactly. The second line may imply that the wicked love to tell lies and thus cause shame and disgrace.

13:5a

The righteous hate falsehood: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as falsehood is literally “a word/thing of falsehood/deceit.” The usual meaning is probably “a false word” or “a lie,” but the Hebrew phrase can also refer to actions that are false or deceitful. Some versions specify lying. For example:

A righteous person hates lying (God’s Word)

Others translate more generally. For example:

A good person hates deceit (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The righteous hate what is false (New International Version)

If possible, you should use an expression that can refer to either false words or actions. If there is no such expression, use an expression that refers to telling lies.

13:5b

but the wicked bring shame and disgrace: Most versions and scholars agree that the phrase translated here as bring shame and disgrace has a causative meaning. To bring shame may have either of two meanings:

(a) Wicked people act in a way that causes others to be offended or disgusted.

(b) Wicked people cause others to be shamed.

To bring…disgrace means essentially the same thing. It is possible that the words shame and disgrace are used together here for emphasis.

The verse does not specify what the wicked do to cause shame and disgrace. It could be their words or actions. If possible, translate in a way that allows either meaning. For example:

but those who are evil cause shame and disgrace (Contemporary English Version)

If it is not possible to refer ambiguously to either words or actions in your language, you may specify words. For example:

but the words of wicked people are shameful and disgraceful (Good News Translation)

Verse 13:5a refers mainly to lies. So the parallel in 13:5b probably implies that the wicked cause shame and disgrace by telling lies about others. It is also likely that the ones who are shamed or disgraced by the wicked are others in their community, perhaps those about whom the lies are told.

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