Proverbs 28:23

The one who reproves ¹  another ²  will in the end ³  find more favor than the one who flatters ⁴  with the tongue.

2Sa 12:7; 1Ki 1:23,32-40; Ps 141:5; Pr 27:5,6; Mt 18:15; Ga 2:11; 2Pe 3:15,16

¹ tn Or “rebukes” (NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).

² tn Heb “a man,” but the context does not indicate this should be limited only to males.

³ tn There is a problem with אַחֲרַי (’akharay), which in the MT reads “after me.” This could be taken to mean “after my instructions,” but that is forced. C. H. Toy suggests simply changing it to “after” or “afterward,” i.e., “in the end” (Proverbs [ICC], 504), a solution most English versions adopt. G. R. Driver suggested an Akkadian cognate ahurru, “common man,” reading “as a rebuker an ordinary man” (“Hebrew Notes,” ZAW 52 [1934]: 147).

⁴ tn The construction uses the Hiphil participle מַחֲלִיק (makhaliq, “makes smooth”) followed by the adverbial accusative of means, the metonymy “tongue” – he makes what he says smooth. This will be pleasing for the moment, but it will offer no constructive help like the rebuke would.