11:12
Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:
12a
Whoever…lacks judgment shows contempt for his neighbor,
12b but a man of understanding remains silent.
11:12a
Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment: The phrase Whoever…lacks judgment refers to a person who does not have good sense.
shows contempt for his neighbor: Other ways to translate the expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shows contempt are:
One who belittles others (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Whoever derides their neighbor (New International Version)
A person who does this is contrasted with a person who “remains silent” in 11:12b. The contrast probably implies that a person who lacks judgment shows contempt through what he says to others about his neighbor. Some other ways to express this meaning are:
It is foolish to speak scornfully of others. (Good News Translation)
-or-
It’s stupid to say bad things about your neighbors. (Contemporary English Version)
11:12b
but a man of understanding remains silent: The contrast with 11:12a implies that a person with good sense remains silent rather than slandering his neighbor.
a man of understanding: In this context, a man of understanding is a person who has discretion, good sense, and intelligence. The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as understanding was last used in 10:23b.
Some other ways to translate this line are:
If you are smart, you will keep quiet. (Good News Translation)
-or-
but an intelligent person remains silent (New Revised Standard Version)
Notice that the Good News Translation addresses the readers directly in 11:12b. It uses “you” pronouns. Versions such as the Berean Standard Bible or New Revised Standard Version state a general principle. They do not address the readers directly. Use a natural way in your language to translate this kind of proverb.
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