10:20
Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:
20a
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
20b but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
10:20a
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver: This metaphor compares the tongue of the righteous to choice silver. The word tongue is a figure of speech (metonymy) that represents the words that a righteous person speaks. The term choice silver refers to silver that has been refined, so it is silver of the highest value.
The parts of this comparison have more than one similarity. Choice silver:
(a) is very valuable
(b) has been refined or tested
(c) is pure
Similarly, the words of a righteous person:
(a) are valuable
(b) are trustworthy
(c) are free from worthless ideas
In some languages, it may not be clear or natural to use a metaphor here. Some other ways to translate this comparison are:
• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
What the righteous say is like the best silver (NET Bible)
-or-
The words of a righteous person are as valuable as pure silver
• If a figure of speech does not express the meaning effectively, you may translate this line without using a figure of speech. For example:
What a good person says is worth listening to
10:20b
but the heart of the wicked has little worth: The word heart refers primarily to the “mind” (New Revised Standard Version) or “thoughts” (Contemporary English Version). In contrast to “choice silver,” the mind of the wicked has little worth. In fact, it is practically worthless. Some other ways to express this meaning are:
but the thoughts of an evil person are almost worthless (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
a wicked person’s ideas are worthless (Good News Translation)
For the word heart, see the note on 4:4a. For the word wicked, see the note on 10:3b.
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