Translation commentary on Proverbs 3:30

“Do not contend with a man for no reason”: “Contend” means to dispute or quarrel. “Man” translates the Hebrew ʾadam and refers to anyone, not just a male. Note that New Revised Standard Version has revised “man” to “anyone.” “For no reason” translates an expression that was used in 1.17 to mean “in vain” or “for no purpose.” As used here the sense is similar, that is, “without a cause or reason.” Contemporary English Version says it well in idiomatic English: “Don’t argue just to be arguing.”

“When he has done you no harm”: This clause restricts arguing to cases in which harm has resulted. In some languages it will be more natural to begin with this clause and say, for example, “If someone has done you no harm, do not argue with them. There is no cause to argue.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “Don’t argue needlessly with someone who has done you no harm.”

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 3:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 3:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not falsely accuse a person of a word/matter he has not done to you.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Don’t pick an unnecessary quarrel
    with people who have never done you any wrong.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] do- not -argue with your (sing.) fellowman without any reason, especially if he/she has- not -done any harm against you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Do not quarrel-with your (sing.) fellowman with no reason if there-is-no evil that he has done to you (sing.).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 3:30

3:30

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

30a Do not accuse a man without cause,

30b
when he has done you no harm.

3:30a–b

Do not accuse a man: The Hebrew verb used here implies accusing a person of doing wrong or starting an argument with him, either in court or in general. If possible, you should use an expression in your language that can cover either situation. If your language does not have a general term, use a term that refers to a legal accusation in court, since that fits the context better.

without cause, when he has done you no harm: The clause when he has done you no harm explains the meaning of without cause. In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder these parallel expressions. See 3:30a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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