Translation commentary on Proverbs 5:14

This verse closes the subdivision on the note of the “final” or “utter” ruin of the young person who has rejected instruction.

“I was at the point of utter ruin”: or “I was almost ruined.” “Ruin” is literally “in all evil.” The sense here seems to be that through his foolish behavior he had become the victim of the worst kind of evil, which could mean death or, more likely, dishonor, disgrace, or terrible shame.

“In the assembled congregation”: The two words “assembled” and “congregation” have the same meaning and refer to the assembling or gathering together of this man’s community to examine his offense. It represents a public meeting and many translators render the two words by something equivalent to “public assembly,” “in public,” or “in the open where everyone saw it.” We may render verse 14, for example, “I was about to be brought down to total disgrace in the sight of everyone.”

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 5:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 5:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “And now/today shame has caught me.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Now in front of everyone,
    I suddenly realized that I had lost my reputation.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Therefore now, I am here at the verge/[lit. lips] of death before/[lit. in front of] the community.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Now, I-am-facing my-being-shamed in-front-of the gathered collective-people.’” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 5:14

5:14

In this verse, the second line completes the thought of the first line.

14a I am on the brink of utter ruin

14b in the midst of the whole assembly.

5:14a–b

I am on the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly: This verse concludes the son’s lament that began in 5:12, as quoted by the father. In some languages, it may be necessary to indicate that after 5:14, the father will no longer be quoting the son’s words. He will now be giving his own advice. See the meaning lines in the Display for 5:14b and 5:15a for ways to make this implied information explicit.

on the brink: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as on the brink :

(1) The word means “almost.” The young man has not yet been disgraced. He either (a) barely avoided it or (b) still faces it. For example:

Now I am at the point of utter ruin in the public assembly. (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I came close to being completely ruined in front of a whole group of people. (New Century Version)

(2) The word means “quickly.” The young man was soon humiliated publicly. For example:

And suddenly I found myself publicly disgraced. (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and scholars. It is further recommended that you follow option (b), because the threat of facing public humiliation is greater than the threat of almost being humiliated.

of utter ruin: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “in all (kinds of) evil/disaster” (see the note on 1:16a–b). In this context, it means “serious trouble.” The nature of the trouble or disaster is not specified, but it probably refers to being publicly shamed.

in the midst of the whole assembly: This phrase refers to a gathering of the local community.

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