When I am silent they will wait for me, and when I speak they will give heed: Solomon thinks he will be so well known for his wisdom that people will eagerly wait for him to speak, and when he does, they will take it seriously. Good News Translation provides a good model.

And when I speak at greater length they will put their hands on their mouths: Putting the hand over the mouth indicates silence, sometimes out of horror, but sometimes, as here, out of respect. Compare Job 29.7-10; 40.3-4. Good News Translation “Even” is not necessary, but is helpful in English. Solomon seems to be referring here to a formal speech; people will listen intently. Contemporary English Version has a good model with “and they will be amazed at my marvelous speeches,” but we may also translate “and when I give speeches they will be greatly amazed at my words.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Wisdom of Solomon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2004. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.