¹ tn Heb “he”; the referent (the subject of the warning in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

² tn Heb “watch yourself,” which is a warning to be on guard against doing something that is inappropriate.

² tn Heb “watch yourself,” which is a warning to be on guard against doing something that is inappropriate.

² tn The text again has “my son.” In this passage perhaps “son” would be the most fitting because of the warning against the adulterous woman. However, since even in this particular folly the temptation works both ways, the general address to either young men or women is retained. Similar warnings would apply to daughters to be warned of smooth-talking, seductive men.

¹ tn The text again has “my son.” In this passage perhaps “son” would be the most fitting because of the warning against the adulterous woman. However, since even in this particular folly the temptation works both ways, the general address to either young men or women is retained. Similar warnings would apply to daughters to be warned of smooth-talking, seductive men.

³ tn Or “avarice,” “covetousness.” Note the warning covers more than money and gets at the root attitude—the strong desire to acquire more and more possessions and experiences.

² sn For the imagery of judgment, see Luke 10:13-15 and 11:19. The warnings are coming consistently now.

⁴ sn The rebuke “Who warned you to flee…?” compares the crowd to snakes who flee their desert holes when the heat of a fire drives them out.

¹ sn With this statement John warns his hearers that physical descent from the patriarchs (Abraham) will not suffice to save them from the coming eschatological wrath of God.

² tn Sounding the trumpet could warn of imminent danger (Neh 4:18-20; Jer 4:19; Amos 3:6).

² tn Heb “will pass through you.” This threat recalls the warning of Lev 26:22, 25 and Deut 32:24-25.

² tn Heb “Take note.” The particle הִנֵּה (hinneh) here calls attention to a warning and syntactically sets up the following participle to indicate the near future (“is about to”).

¹ tn Heb “warned them…saying, ‘Obey me.’” However, it allows the long sentence to be broken up easier if the indirect quote is used.

³ tn Heb “Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet.” The word “warning” is not in the Hebrew text but is implied.

¹ tn The word “warning” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation two times in this line for clarity.

² sn A contentious woman is uncontrollable. The wind can gust at any moment; so too the contentious woman can nag or complain without warning.

¹ sn The Hebrew verb רִיב (riv) is often used in legal contexts; here the warning is not to go to court hastily lest it turn out badly.

³ sn Verses 26-28 comprise the seventeenth saying; it warns the young person to follow the instructions about temptations because there are plenty of temptresses lurking about.

² tc The LXX has “Giving authority to words is the beginning of strife.” This would make it a warning against thoughtless talk.

³ tn Heb “if being missed, he is missed.” The emphatic infinitive absolute before the finite verbal form lends solemnity to the warning.