This verse gives the motive or reason for doing what is required of the herder in verse 23.

“For riches do not last for ever”: “Riches” renders a word meaning “that which is stored up,” “. . . put away,” “a treasure”; see 15.6 where it is rendered “treasure.” Some take this line to refer to wealth that has been gained by trading or commerce in contrast to the wealth of livestock. But it may also refer to the wealth or stored-up produce of the successful farmer.

“And does a crown endure to all generations?”: This line is in the form of a rhetorical question that may also be expressed as a strong negative. Many interpreters do not think that “a crown” is suitable in this context and so change it to a word meaning “treasure” or “wealth.” However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project rates the Hebrew as “B” and recommends translating the whole verse “for riches do not last for ever; and does a diadem [crown] endure from age to age?” This is essentially the same as Revised Standard Version. Good News Translation has taken “crown” to refer to “nations.” Bible en français courant renders the whole verse “Indeed, riches do not last for ever: you know well that crowns are not handed down [inherited] indefinitely.”

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 .