20:12 “If 1 evil is sweet in his mouth
and he hides it under his tongue, 2
20:13 if he retains it for himself
and does not let it go,
and holds it fast in his mouth, 3
1 tn The conjunction אִם (’im) introduces clauses that are conditional or concessive. With the imperfect verb in the protasis it indicates what is possible in the present or future. See GKC 496 §159.q).
2 sn The wicked person holds on to evil as long as he can, savoring the taste or the pleasure of it.
3 tn Heb “in the middle of his palate.”