24:14 Likewise, know 1 that wisdom is sweet 2 to your soul;
if you find it, 3 you will have a future, 4
and your hope will not be cut off.
27:18 The one who tends a fig tree 5 will eat its fruit, 6
and whoever takes care of 7 his master will be honored.
1 tn D. W. Thomas argues for a meaning of “seek” in place of “know” (“Notes on Some Passages in the Book of Proverbs,” JTS 38 [1937]: 400-403).
2 tn The phrase “is sweet” is supplied in the translation as a clarification.
3 tn The term “it” is supplied in the translation.
4 tn Heb “there will be an end.” The word is אַחֲרִית (’akhrit, “after-part, end”). BDB 31 s.v. b says in a passage like this it means “a future,” i.e., a happy close of life, sometimes suggesting the idea of posterity promised to the righteous, often parallel to “hope.”
5 sn Tending fig trees requires closer attention than other plants; so the point here would be the diligent care that is required.
6 sn The principle is established in the first line with the emblem: Those who faithfully serve will be rewarded in kind. The second half of the proverb makes the point from this illustration.
7 sn The Hebrew participle translated “takes care of” (שֹׁמֵר, shomer) describes a careful watching over or looking after, a meticulous service, anticipating the needs and safeguarding the charge. Such a servant need not worry about his efforts going unrecognized and unrewarded (e.g., Prov 22:29; 2 Tim 2:6, 15).