Paragraph 30:32–33 A warning to stop behavior that leads to quarrels

Verse 30:32 is a warning to stop foolish boasting and any plans to do evil. The reason for this warning (30:33) is that this kind of behavior makes other people angry and results in strife.

30:32

32a If you have foolishly exalted yourself

32b or if you have plotted evil,

32c put your hand over your mouth!

30:32a

If you have foolishly exalted yourself: In Hebrew, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as foolishly is a verb form of the word “fool” that occurs in 30:22b. See the note there. It means to act like a fool.

exalted yourself: The phrase exalted yourself refers to being proud and boasting about your own importance. It indicates that arrogant boasting is the way that the fool shows his foolishness. It does not describe a separate action.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

If you have done foolishly by exalting yourself (NET Bible)
-or-
If you are such a godless fool as to honor yourself (God’s Word)
-or-
If you are foolishly bragging (Contemporary English Version)

30:32b

or if you have plotted evil: This clause is literally “and if you have schemed/plotted.” The word evil is implied. The verse does not specify whether the plan involves evil words or deeds. Some other ways to translate this line are:

or planning something evil (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
or plotting evil (New Living Translation (2004))

30:32c

put your hand over your mouth: This admonition is literally “hand to mouth.” It is a cultural gesture. In this context, it means, “stop boasting and do not talk about your evil plans.” Some other ways to translate this line are:

• Keep the cultural gesture if it expresses the right meaning. For example:

put your hand over your mouth (NET Bible)

• Keep the cultural gesture and add the meaning. For example:

put your hand on your mouth and do not speak

• Translate the meaning without the gesture. For example:

shut your mouth (New Century Version)
-or-
stop and think (Good News Translation)

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