27:2 Let another 1 praise you, and not your own mouth; 2
someone else, 3 and not your own lips.
27:2 Let another 4 praise you, and not your own mouth; 5
someone else, 6 and not your own lips.
2:19 None who go in to her will return, 7
nor will they reach the paths of life. 8
1 tn Heb “a stranger.” This does not necessarily refer to a non-Israelite, as has been demonstrated before in the book of Proverbs, but these are people outside the familiar and accepted circles. The point is that such a person would be objective in speaking about your abilities and accomplishments.
2 sn “Mouth” and “lips” are metonymies of cause; they mean “what is said.” People should try to avoid praising themselves. Self praise can easily become a form of pride, even if it begins with trivial things. It does not establish a reputation; reputation comes from what others think about you.
3 tn “a foreigner”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV “a stranger.”
4 tn Heb “a stranger.” This does not necessarily refer to a non-Israelite, as has been demonstrated before in the book of Proverbs, but these are people outside the familiar and accepted circles. The point is that such a person would be objective in speaking about your abilities and accomplishments.
5 sn “Mouth” and “lips” are metonymies of cause; they mean “what is said.” People should try to avoid praising themselves. Self praise can easily become a form of pride, even if it begins with trivial things. It does not establish a reputation; reputation comes from what others think about you.
6 tn “a foreigner”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV “a stranger.”
7 tn Heb “all who go in to her will not return.”
8 sn The phrase “reach the paths of life” is a figurative expression for experiencing joy and fullness of blessing (BDB 673 s.v. נָשַׂג 2.a).