Translation commentary on Proverbs 26:26

“Though his hatred be covered with guile”: “Hatred” translates the same word as used in 10.12. “Guile” translates a word used for the first time here and means “deceit” or “trickery.” The sense is that the person first mentioned in verse 24 may hide or cover up his hatred through deception.

“His wickedness will be exposed in the assembly”: “Wickedness” renders the same Hebrew term as “evil [heart]” in verse 23. There is a contrast between the hatred that the person tries to cover or hide in the previous line and the wicked or evil thoughts that will be “exposed” or revealed here. “Assembly” translates the same word rendered “assembled” in 5.14 and probably refers to a public meeting more than to a religious gathering. Many translate it as “everybody.” This verse may be rendered, for example, “Even if he tries to hide his hatred, his evil will be found out by everybody.”

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 26:26)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 26:26:

  • Kupsabiny: “Although a black stomached person may try to hide it inside,
    it will be revealed where there are many people (in public).
    His word may seem to be good,
    but do not believe (him), because (he) is envious to finish (it) (full of envy).” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “As for their bad thoughts, they hide them,
    but their evil deeds are visible to everyone.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “(It is) possible that he will-act-in-disguise so-that he can hide his anger, but still all will-see his bad deeds.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “It-is-possible for him to cover-up his motives, but at its end people will find-out just the same.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “They try to deceive people to cause them to think that they do not hate that person,
    but in a public meeting, the people will find out the evil things that they have done.” (Source: Translation for Translators)