wisdom ("word wisdom")

In the Tzeltal translation for the dialectal variant of Highland Tzeltal (Biblia Tzeltal yu’un Oxchuc soc Tenejapa, 2001) the translation team used three different words to translate the Hebrew term that is translated as “wisdom” in English. For the verses referenced here, it uses p’ijil c’op or “word wisdom.”

For the complete story and more background, please see wisdom (Proverbs).

See also buy wisdom.

Translation commentary on Proverbs 24:23

“These also are sayings of the wise”: This is the title for the collection of sayings that follow in the rest of chapter 24. Good News Translation gives a different way of expressing it.

“Partiality in judging is not good”: This line is the beginning of the first saying in the collection and states its theme. “Partiality” gives the sense of the Hebrew idiom “to have regard for faces”; it means to give a decision or to act on the basis of who a person is rather than on the basis of his or her guilt or innocence (see 18.5). “In judging” or “in dispensing justice” (Revised English Bible) shows that the saying refers to the legal system or the process of law; note the Good News Translation rendering “It is wrong for judges to be prejudiced.” Contemporary English Version expresses the statement in a positive way rather than a negative way: “When you judge, you must be fair.”

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 .

complete verse (Proverbs 24:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 24:23:

  • Kupsabiny: “These are also words that are coming from people who are wise.
    It is not good to lean on one side (be partial) when passing judgment.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “There are still other matters for the wise —
    When rendering judgment,
    it is not good to show partiality.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “These are still some of the proverbs of the wise man:
    (It is) not good that you (sing.) are partial/showing-partiality in judging.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Here are other advices of the wise. It is not good if someone is favored in the place/time-of-judgment.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)