complete verse (Proverbs 21:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 21:23:

  • Kupsabiny: “A person who guards his mouth (words),
    guards himself against trouble/turmoil.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The one who is able to control
    his own mouth and tongue
    will deliver himself from trouble.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A man who guards what he says can-avoid trouble.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “One who is circumspect/cautious with his words will avoid problems.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Those who are very careful about what they say
    are able to avoid trouble.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 21:23

This saying advises people to be careful or cautious in what they say. On this theme see also 13.3. Scott suggests that this may be a developed form of a popular rhyming proverb.

“He who keeps his mouth and his tongue”: The Hebrew verb “keeps” can mean “watches,” “observes,” or “guards.” “His mouth and his tongue” is figurative language for “his speech” or “what he says.” The whole line therefore means “be careful what you say” (Good News Translation).

“Keeps himself out of trouble”: This line begins with the same form of the same word as the first line, literally “the one keeping.” The word is used in a slightly different sense in this line, “protecting” or “preserving” (as in 13.3). “Himself” renders the idiomatic Hebrew “his soul.” The word “trouble” is plural in Hebrew and, as in 11.8, has the sense of “disaster” or “distress.” Toy suggests that the “troubles” referred to are probably legal and social difficulties resulting from unwise talk. In English “keep out of trouble” is such a well-known and colloquial expression that a number of versions use it. Other good ways of expressing the line are “keeps . . . safe from disaster” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “saves himself from many trials” (Scott).

In some languages this whole saying is best expressed using an “if” construction; for example, “If a person watches his words well, he won’t find himself in trouble” or “If you don’t want trouble to get you, you must watch what you say” (see 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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 21:23

21:23

This proverb describes the results of guarding one’s speech. It is also an implied warning. It warns people to be careful with what they say in order to avoid trouble.

23a He who guards his mouth and his tongue

23b keeps his soul from distress.

21:23a

He who guards his mouth and tongue: There are two figures of speech (metonymy) in the phrase his mouth and tongue. Both the mouth and the tongue represent the words that the person speaks.

These two figures of speech often occur in parallel lines. Here they both occur in the same line. This probably emphasizes that the person needs to be very careful in what he says. He should not speak without thinking.

Some other ways to translate this part of the verse are:

Those who are careful about what they say (New Century Version)
-or-
A person who thinks carefully before he speaks

21:23b

keeps his soul from distress: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “keeps/preserves his soul/self from troubles.” The plural word “troubles” indicates a variety of difficulties. They may be legal troubles or problems with relationships in the community.

keep themselves out of trouble (New Century Version)
-or-
can save you a lot of trouble (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 21:23a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these two verse parts. For example:

If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful what you say. (Good News Translation)

See also 21:23a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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