silent / say nothing

The Hebrew that is translated as “silent” or “say nothing” in English is translated in the Protestant Mandarin Chinese Union Version with two historical 4-character Chinese idioms: mòmò wúshēng (默默無聲 / 默默无声), mòmò bùyán (默默不言), jìngmò bù yán (靜默不言), or jìngmò wúshēng (靜默無聲 / 静默无声) all “silent (lit. “quiet – no sound [or: words]”).

See also silent / still, shut mouth / silence, and silent.

complete verse (Amos 5:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Amos 5:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “So the wise keep quiet
    because the sin is great.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Because of this, wise men will remain silent in such times
    because it is an evil time.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Therefore because of the wickedness of this time, the people who understand the will of God only keep-silent/quiet.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “This is a time when many people do evil things,
    so people who have good sense say nothing when they hear about such things being done.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Amos 5:13

Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time/And so, keeping quiet in such evil times is the smart thing to do. This verse has presented numerous problems of interpretation. It does not fit into the context very clearly unless the reader sees it as balancing verse 10 (see 5.10-13). With the organization of verses 10-13 in mind, the prudent of verse 13 are those who reprove and speak the truth in verse 10. They are hated for what they say (verse 10), so they would be wise to keep quiet. Notice, however, that the people referred to here are not the people who are the center of attention in verses 10-12 but the ones whom they hate in verse 10. The attention of the passage has shifted. The connection could be made clearer by a translation such as “but those that you hate would be wise to keep silent (not to speak out) in such evil times.”

Quoted with permission from de Waard, Jan & Smalley, William A. A Handbook on Amos. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1979. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Amos 5:13

5:13a Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times,

So, wise/sensible people do not say anything at times like this
-or-
Therefore, those people who judge wisely ⌊and tell the truth, those who you hate,⌋ are silent in such circumstances/situations.

5:13b for the days are evil.

because the time/era is so bad/wicked.
-or-

⌊You hate what is good⌋ because you (plur.) are an evil generation/people.

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