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.

He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favour than he who has a flattering tongue.

He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue.

In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.

In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated far more than bootlicking flattery.

He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.

Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.

He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue.

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

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.