This saying speaks of a son who brings shame on his family and is replaced by a slave who then inherits in the son’s place.

“A slave who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully”: “A slave” refers to a servant who is subjected to the total authority of a master. “Deals wisely” can mean to be clever or to act wisely, even morally (see 14.35). Good News Translation prefers “shrewd,” which suggests keen intelligence as well as cunning. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “capable,” and Bible en français courant “perceptive.” In the context of a slave knowing how to behave wisely for his own benefit, such words as “clever,” “capable,” and “intelligent” seem adequate. Contemporary English Version says “hard-working.” “Rule over” means “to be in charge of” or “to become a master.” “Acts shamefully” renders the same word used in 10.5 (translated “brings shame”) and 14.35. See there for comments.

“And will share the inheritance as one of the brothers”: “Share the inheritance” means to receive a part of the possessions belonging to the father when he dies. The expression “as one of the brothers” means that the slave will replace the disgraced son mentioned in the first line of the saying and will be considered as a son to the father and a brother to his other sons. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates the whole saying “The capable servant becomes a master of the disgraced son and has part in the inheritance like the other brothers.” See also Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .