30:28

The parts in bold print contrast the ease of catching a lizard with its ability to live in the luxurious palace of a powerful king.

and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands,

yet it is found in the palaces of kings.

30:28a

and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands: The word lizard refers to a gecko or house lizard. The gecko is a small lizard that can run easily across walls or ceilings and eats small insects like mosquitoes. A person can easily grasp, hold, or catch it with the hand. Some other ways to translate this line are:

While a lizard is easy enough to catch in your hand (The Voice)
-or-
Lizards—they are easy to catch (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the lizard can be grasped in the hand (New Revised Standard Version)

30:28b

yet it is found in the palaces of kings: In many languages the word palaces is associated with a king or other ruler, so it may not be necessary to specify the word kings. Some other ways to translate this line are:

⌊it is shrewd enough to⌋ enter the palaces of kings (The Voice)
-or-
but they are found even in kings’ palaces (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
but you can find them in palaces (Good News Translation)

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