12:4

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

4a
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,

4b but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

This proverb contrasts a good wife with a wife who disgraces her husband. The effect of these two kinds of wives on their husbands is described by a metaphor in 12:4a and a simile in 12:4b.

12:4a

A wife of noble character: The word noble usually means “strength” or “power.” In this context, it indicates a wife who has both strength of character and competence. Most versions use only one expression to describe her. For example:

a capable wife (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
a worthy wife (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
A good wife (Good News Translation)
-or-
a wife with strength of character (God’s Word)

Some languages may have one expression that includes both meanings of the Hebrew word. If not, you may use more than one term. For example:

a wife who is clever and good

is her husband’s crown: In this metaphor, a good wife is compared to a crown on her husband’s head. A crown is a symbol of honor. So a wife who is her husband’s crown causes him to be honored or respected by other people.

If this metaphor is not natural or clear in your language, some other ways to translate it are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

A good wife is like a crown for her husband (New Century Version)

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

A capable and virtuous wife brings her husband respect/honor.

• Use an idiom in your language that expresses the right meaning. For example:

A good wife is her husband’s pride and joy (Good News Translation)

12:4b

but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones: This simile compares a wife who disgraces her husband to decay in his bones. The similarity is that the disgraceful wife steadily ruins her husband’s happiness, reputation, and influence. In the same way, a serious disease ruins his health.

In some languages, it may be helpful to make this similarity explicit. For example:

But if a wife’s behavior shames her husband, she will ⌊ruin his reputation⌋ just as a bone disease would ruin his health.

she who causes shame: This phrase refers to a wife who brings shame or disgrace to her husband or ruins his reputation.

is like decay in his bones: In Old Testament times, people regarded the bones as the source of the body’s health and strength. So the expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as decay (the New Revised Standard Version has “rottenness”) in his bones refers to a disease which slowly but steadily takes away a person’s health and strength. A possible modern equivalent of this condition is cancer. For example:

rottenness in his bones (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
bone cancer (God’s Word)
-or-
a cancer in his bones (Good News Translation)

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