Proverbs 27:2

27:2 Let another ¹  praise you, and not your own mouth; ² 

someone else, ³  and not your own lips.

Proverbs 27:2

27:2 Let another ⁴  praise you, and not your own mouth; ⁵ 

someone else, ⁶  and not your own lips.

Proverbs 2:19

2:19 None who go in to her will return, ⁷ 

nor will they reach the paths of life. ⁸ 

[27:2]  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.

[27:2]  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.

[27:2]  ³ tn “a foreigner”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV “a stranger.”

[27:2]  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.

[27:2]  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.

[27:2]  ⁶ tn “a foreigner”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV “a stranger.”

[2:19]  ⁷ tn Heb “all who go in to her will not return.”

[2:19]  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).