Translation commentary on Proverbs 8:33

“Hear instruction and be wise”: “Hear” is a plural command addressed to “my sons.” “Instruction” renders the same word as used in 1.2. “Hear instruction” is equivalent to “Obey my teaching” or “Listen to what I teach you.” Some translations have “Let me teach you.” “Be wise” may be treated as a command, as in Revised Standard Version, or as a result of listening to Wisdom. Treated as a consequence we may say, for example, “You will be wise,” “You will become wise,” or “You will have wisdom.”

“And do not neglect it”: “Neglect” here means to reject, give it up, or let it go. The Hebrew does not express “it”. However, “it” or “them” as referring to the instruction or teaching of Wisdom may be required in translation.

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 8:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 8:33:

  • Kupsabiny: “Listen (plur.) to what I am teaching, and you (plur.) will be(come) people who are wise. Do not refuse my teaching.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Give attention to my instruction,
    Do not ignore [it].” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (plur.)] listen to my straightening of your (plur.) behavior so-that you (plur.) will-become wise;
    and you (plur.) never forget it.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Be-thorough/diligent to listen-to what I teach so that you will become-wise/intelligent. Do not ignore (it).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 8:33

8:33

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

33a
Listen to instruction and be wise;

33b
do not ignore it.

8:33a–b

Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it: The parallel commands Listen and do not ignore function together to emphasize the importance of paying careful attention to Wisdom’s teaching/advice. The word it refers back to Wisdom’s instruction.

and be wise: The same command is found in 6:6b where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “become wise.” In this particular sequence of two commands, the second command expresses result or consequence: being or becoming wise is the result of listening to Wisdom’s instruction. Other ways to express this relationship are:

so that you may be wise (NET Bible)
-or-
and you will be wise (New Century Version)

General Comment on 8:33a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel commands. For example:

Listen carefully to my instructions, and you will be wise. (Contemporary English Version)

However, in many languages, using both a positive and a negative command will have more impact than using a single command as the Contemporary English Version has done.

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