In this verse and the next we come again to a set of negative imperatives, warning against a certain kind of foolish behavior. Verses 21 and 22 are linked in the Hebrew, both by the particle “for,” or “because,” which gives a reason for this advice, as well as by the repetition of the word “heart” (as discussed below). The link between this unit and what is before it is an open question. Verse 21 begins with a Hebrew particle that many versions leave untranslated. This particle can be an assertive marker, but more often it means “also” or “finally.”

As noted above, Jerusalem Bible treats verses 19-22 as a single unit, beginning verse 21 with “Another thing:….” The French version Pleiade takes a similar approach: “Moreover….” On the other hand Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible see these two verses as completely independent. The translator can set out the text according to the interpretation chosen.

Do not give heed to is literally “Do not give your heart.” The phrase “give one’s heart” is an idiom used regularly in this book to describe the serious examination Qoheleth made of human society. (See 1.13 “I applied my mind to seek…”; also 1.17; 8.9, 16.) So in the negative, Qoheleth’s meaning is that we should not allow these things to have too much influence, hence Good News Translation and New English Bible use the phrase “Pay no attention to.” Another possibility is to say “Don’t get upset at….”

All the things that men say is put at the beginning of the Hebrew clause for emphasis. In some languages the same sentence structure can be used: “Not everything people say should be taken to heart” or “Everything people say, don’t take it too seriously.”

In such a general saying, without the benefit of context to fix its meaning, our translation will need to avoid giving the impression that Qoheleth is saying “Don’t listen to anything people say!” The verse that follows describes this one, so we shall have to take the meaning of verse 22 into account as we translate here.

All the things uses the Hebrew word that can mean “matters” or “things.” So here we can also give a translation such as “every matter” or “every issue.” In English “everything” is probably the natural choice.

Men say renders a Hebrew plural verb that has no definite subject, merely “they.” Many languages use a similar impersonal form in such circumstances. If not, “people” is acceptable. Jerusalem Bible moves the focus from what is said to those who say it: “pay no attention to tell-tales.”

Some translation examples are:

• Don’t take too seriously every little thing people talk about.

• Don’t get upset over everything people say.

• Not everything a person says should be taken to heart.

Lest introduces the problem a person may encounter if the above warning is not heeded. Other alternatives are “otherwise,” or “in case,” or “or.” In some languages this expression may not need to be translated, since the meaning will be clear without it.

You hear your servant cursing you: when Hebrew here uses the imperfect form of the verb translated you hear, it carries the sense of possibility, such as “you might hear.” Your servant suggests that the reader is probably a wealthy and educated member of the society, with servants in his employment. Because the term servant reflects a certain social pattern, it may not always be easy to find an equivalent term where the social structure and thus the vocabulary are different. In such a case “helper” or “worker” are terms that can be used, even though they do not reflect a lower social class.

Cursing is a Hebrew participle indicating an ongoing condition. Used as a noun, cursing portrays a thing that is of little or no value. In its intensive verbal form it means to “revile” or regard a person as contemptible. Good News Translation “insult” is also a good term to use here.

There are two possible meanings for this phrase: “lest you hear your servant cursing you” or “lest you hear [from someone else] that your servant curses you.” The imperfect verb and the participle in this phrase make the latter the more likely sense. We can suppose that, if the master were to hear that the servant was saying evil things about him, he would be forced to take some action against the servant.

Models for translation:

• … otherwise you may hear that your servant [or, worker] is saying something evil about you.

• … in case you hear that your servant insults you [all the time].

• … or you might hear that your servant has been cursing you!

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .