14:17

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. The underlined parts describe two kinds of bad behavior. The parts in bold print describe the results of that behavior.

17a
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,

17b and a devious man is hated.

The idea in the second line is more intense than the first line. It is bad for a man to lose his temper and do something foolish. It is worse when a man deliberately plans to harm someone else.

14:17a

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as A quick-tempered man is literally “⌊A person⌋ short of anger.” This phrase refers to someone who becomes angry easily or loses his temper. English versions translate this idea in a number of ways. For example:

A short-tempered person (God’s Word)
-or-
People with a hot temper (Good News Translation)

Translate this phrase in a natural way in your language.

14:17b

and a devious man is hated: There are two ways to interpret the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as devious. There is also a related textual issue. The textual and interpretation issues will be discussed together:

(1) The Masoretic Text (MT) has “is hated.” Versions that follow the MT understand the word devious in the bad sense of a person who schemes or plots to do what is wicked or harmful to others. For example:

and a person with crafty schemes is hated (NET Bible)

(2) The LXX has “endures.” Some versions take this to mean “endures patiently or calmly.” Versions that follow the LXX understand the word devious in the good sense of a person who is clever in making plans. For example:

but someone with understanding remains calm (New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and scholars.

a devious man: Another way to translate this phrase is:

a person who plots evil (God’s Word)

is hated: This is a passive verb. One way to translate this line using an active verb is:

If a person plans to harm others, people will hate him.

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