many years of life / live long / one's days may be long

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “for no good purpose,” “evil purpose in mind,” “evil heart” or similar in English is translated in the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version with a historical Chinese idiom: bùhuái hǎoyì (不懷好意 / 不怀好意), lit. “not intending a good purpose.” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

Note that the Protestant Union Version also uses that idiom in Proverbs 4:10.

Translation commentary on Proverbs 28:16

“A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor”: This line as translated by Revised Standard Version is supported for the most part by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project. However, for “is a cruel oppressor”, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project suggests “multiplies extortions,” where “extortions” refers to taking away somebody’s property by force or by illegal means. Good News Translation translates this line satisfactorily: “A ruler without good sense will be a cruel tyrant.” Bible en français courant has “A leader without good sense commits many injustices.”

“But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days”: The problem in this saying is that the second line seems to bear no relation to the first. For “unjust gain” see 15.27. “Prolong his days” means “enjoy a long life” (New Revised Standard Version). This line promises long life to anyone who hates gain or profit that is dishonest. Contemporary English Version says “but anyone who refuses to get rich by cheating others will live a long time.”

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 28:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 28:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “An arrogant king is not wise,
    but the one who hates corruption will live to a ripe old age.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “A ruler that lacks discernment
    is foolish and hard-hearted.
    Anyone who does not become rich by harming others,
    he will have a long life.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A ruler who has no understanding is very cruel.
    A ruler who does not want to become-rich through a bad way his life will-be-prolonged/long.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “One who is not wise to rule has no mercy/kindness, but the life of one who refuses to cheat so that he can become-rich will-become-long.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Rulers who do not have good sense cruelly oppress the people they rule,
    but rulers who do not want to become rich by cheating/deceiving people will live (OR, rule) for a long time.” (Source: Translation for Translators)