Proverbs 3:29-31 New English Translation
29 Do not plot[a] evil against your neighbor
when[b] he dwells by you unsuspectingly.
30 Do not accuse[c] anyone[d] without legitimate cause,[e]
if he has not treated you wrongly.
31 Do not envy a violent man,[f]
and do not choose any of his ways;
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:29 sn The verb חָרַשׁ (kharash) means “to cut in; to engrave; to plough; to devise.” The idea of plotting is metaphorical for working, practicing or fabricating (BDB 360 s.v.).
- Proverbs 3:29 tn Heb “And he dwells trustingly (or securely) with you.” The vav (ו) prefixed to the pronoun introduces a circumstantial clause which further defines the neighbor.
- Proverbs 3:30 sn The term רִיב (riv) can mean “quarrel” or “legal accusation” (BDB 936 s.v.). Both ideas would work but the more technical legal accusation fits the context better. This is a warning to not bring legal accusations against anyone without a legitimate reason.
- Proverbs 3:30 tn Heb “a man.”
- Proverbs 3:30 tn Heb “gratuitously”; NIV, TEV “for no (+ good NCV) reason.” The adverb חִנָּם (khinam) means “without cause, undeservedly,” especially of groundless hostility (HALOT 334 s.v. 3; BDB 336 s.v. c).
- Proverbs 3:31 tn Heb “a man of violence.” The noun חָמָס (khamas, “violence”) functions as an attributive genitive. The word itself means “violence, wrong” (HALOT 329 s.v.) and refers to physical violence, social injustice, harsh treatment, wild ruthlessness, injurious words, hatred, and general rudeness (BDB 329 s.v.).
New English Translation (NET)
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