16:28
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
27a
A perverse man spreads dissension,
27b and a gossip divides close friends.
The second line of this proverb is more specific than the first line. A “gossip” is a particular kind of “perverse man.” The parallelism implies that a “perverse man” causes trouble by his harmful words. A specific example is that his words destroy friendships.
16:28a
A perverse man: In Hebrew, this phrase refers to someone who twists or turns upside down the standards that the LORD established for human society. He is a bad person who causes trouble of various kinds. In this context, parallel with “a gossip,” it probably refers to a person who twists the truth or who tells lies about others. See the note on 2:12b.
spreads dissension: The phrase spreads dissension means “causes quarrels or misunderstandings between people.” (See the note on 6:14b.)
Some other ways to translate this line are:
A devious person spreads quarrels (God’s Word)
-or-
A dishonest man spreads strife (English Standard Version)
-or-
Wicked people cause trouble/misunderstanding
16:28b
and a gossip: In Hebrew, the word gossip is literally “whisperer.” It refers to anyone who spreads false or misleading information that will harm another person or ruin his reputation.
divides close friends: This phrase means “destroys the friendship between close friends” or “causes close friends to become enemies.” It may refer to a close friend of the gossip or to other people who are close friends.
Some other ways to translate this line are:
a slanderer divides friend from friend (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
gossip separates the best of friends (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and tale-bearing breaks up the closest friendship (Revised English Bible)
General Comment on 16:28a–b
Due to the parallelism, these lines refer to the actions of the same person. No contrast is intended between them or between the results of their evil actions. The Good News Translation makes this clear by reordering the parallel parts. It has:
Gossip is spread by wicked people; they stir up trouble and break up friendships.
See 16:28a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display for another way to reorder the parallel parts. You will need to decide whether reordering the parallel parts makes the meaning clearer in your language.
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