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Proverbs 8:4-6

Context

8:4 “To you, O people, 1  I call out,

and my voice calls 2  to all mankind. 3 

8:5 You who are naive, discern 4  wisdom!

And you fools, understand discernment! 5 

8:6 Listen, for I will speak excellent things, 6 

and my lips will utter 7  what is right.

1 tn Heb “men.” Although it might be argued in light of the preceding material that males would be particularly addressed by wisdom here, the following material indicates a more universal appeal. Cf. TEV, NLT “to all of you.”

2 tn The verb “calls” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for the sake of style.

3 tn Heb “sons of man.” Cf. NAB “the children of men”; NCV, NLT “all people”; NRSV “all that live.”

4 tn The imperative of בִּין (bin) means “to understand; to discern.” The call is for the simple to understand what wisdom is, not just to gain it.

5 tn Heb “heart.” The noun לֵב (lev, “heart”) often functions metonymically for wisdom, understanding, discernment.

6 tn Heb “noble” or “princely.” Wisdom begins the first motivation by claiming to speak noble things, that is, excellent things.

7 tn Heb “opening of my lips” (so KJV, NASB). The noun “lips” is a metonymy of cause, with the organ of speech put for what is said.



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