31:26

The English Standard Version has been used as the source line for 26b, because it follows a recommended interpretation for the second line. It also shows the parallelism more clearly.

26a She opens her mouth with wisdom, (Berean Standard Bible)

26b and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (English Standard Version)

31:26a–b

opens her mouth…on her tongue: In Hebrew, the parallel phrases opens her mouth and on her tongue are frequently used figuratively to refer to speech. Here they both represent the words that the wife speaks.

31:26a

She opens her mouth with wisdom: Some other ways to translate this figure of speech are:

• Keep the figurative reference to mouth. For example:

When she opens her mouth, it is to speak wisely (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Her mouth is full of wisdom (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
Wise words come from her mouth

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

She speaks with wisdom (New International Version)
-or-
When she speaks, her words are wise (New Living Translation (2004))

31:26b

(English Standard Version) and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue: In Hebrew, the word that the English Standard Version translates as kindness has three aspects of meaning: loyalty, love, and kindness (see the notes on 3:3a and 14:22b for more information). In this verse, versions focus on either love/kindness or loyalty/reliability. The two interpretations are as follows:

(1) The word kindness refers here to love or kindness. For example:

kindly instruction (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The word kindness refers here to loyalty or reliability. For example:

faithful instruction (New International Version)

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

In addition, there are two ways to interpret the phrase teaching of kindness :

(1) It refers to teaching/instruction that is done in a kind manner. For example:

kindly instruction (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It refers to teaching/instruction about kindness. For example:

teaches other to be kind (New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and commentaries. Note: Versions that translate literally (“teaching/instruction of kindness”) have not been listed under either interpretation, because they could be interpreted either way. These versions include the English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, and New Revised Standard Version.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

• Keep the figurative reference to tongue or a similar figure of speech, such as “lips.” For example:

Her tongue ⌊is full⌋ with kindly teaching (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
Kind advice comes from her lips/tongue.

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

and she gives instructions with kindness (New Living Translation (2004))

The verse does not specify who the wife instructs. If possible, translate this line in a general way. If you need to specify who she instructs, it is probably her children and servants.

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