Proverbs 5:2

5:2 in order to safeguard ¹  discretion, ² 

and that your lips may guard knowledge.

Proverbs 23:16

23:16 my soul ³  will rejoice

when your lips speak what is right. ⁴ 

Proverbs 27:2

27:2 Let another ⁵  praise you, and not your own mouth; ⁶ 

someone else, ⁷  and not your own lips.

Proverbs 22:18

22:18 For it is pleasing if ⁸  you keep these sayings ⁹  within you,

and ¹⁰  they are ready on your lips. ¹¹ 

[5:2]  ¹ tn Heb “keep, protect, guard.”

[5:2]  ² sn This “discretion” is the same word in 1:4; it is wise, prudential consideration, careful planning, or the ability to devise plans with a view to the best way to carry them out. If that ability is retained then temptations to digress will not interfere.

[23:16]  ³ tn Heb “my kidneys”; in biblical Hebrew the term was used for the innermost being, the soul, the central location of the passions. Cf. NASB, NIV “my inmost being.”

[23:16]  ⁴ sn This twelfth saying simply observes that children bring joy to their parents when they demonstrate wisdom. The quatrain is arranged in a chiastic structure (AB:B'A'): The first line (A) speaks of wisdom in the child, and it is paired with the last line (A') which speaks of the child’s saying what is right. In between these brackets are two lines (B and B') concerning joy to the parent.

[27:2]  ⁵ 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]  ⁶ 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]  ⁷ tn “a foreigner”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV “a stranger.”

[22:18]  ⁷ tn Or “when” (so NIV).

[22:18]  ⁸ tn Heb “keep them,” referring to the words of the wise expressed in these sayings. The referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[22:18]  ⁹ tn The term “and” does not appear in the Hebrew but is supplied in the translation.

[22:18]  ¹⁰ sn If the teachings are preserved in the heart/mind of the disciple, then that individual will always be ready to speak what was retained.