“It is not good to eat much honey”: This line is similar to line 1 of verse 16.

“So be sparing of complimentary words”: This line in Hebrew is not clear; in fact, as it stands it makes little or no sense. Note that the Revised Standard Version footnote shows that it follows the ancient versions and that the Hebrew text says “searching out their glory is glory.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project rates the Hebrew text as “C,” meaning there is considerable doubt about it being the original text. After examining each of the variant texts, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project suggests translating the second line “to unmask their glory is glory.” However, this is unclear and makes no connection with the first line.

Translators seem to have two other choices here: (1) to translate Revised Standard Version, which follows the Septuagint with one additional change in the Hebrew text; this may also be expressed as “and it is not good to use words of praise too much”; (2) to translate one of the modern versions based on a modified Hebrew text, such as Good News Translation or New Living Translation “it is not good for people to think about all the honors they deserve.” Note the Good News Translation footnote. Contemporary English Version offers a variation of the Good News Translation rendering: “Don’t eat too much honey or always want praise.” Contemporary English Version calls its translation “One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.”

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 .