“Do not speak in the hearing of a fool”: The Hebrew idiom used here, “speak in the ears of,” simply means to speak directly to someone or to address someone. In English most versions have “speak to,” “talk to,” or “address”; but having the next line in mind, New Jerusalem Bible says “Do not waste words on a fool” and Good News Translation “Don’t try to talk sense to a fool.” For “fool” see 1.22.

“For he will despise the wisdom of your words”: For “despise” see 1.7. Other words in English with the same sense as “despise” are “scorn” (New International Version, Scott), “disdain” (Revised English Bible), and “make fun” (Contemporary English Version). This is expressed in a different way by New Jerusalem Bible with “will not appreciate” (see Good News Translation). “The wisdom of your words” means “the insight with which you speak.” For the Hebrew word rendered “wisdom”, see 12.8 (where Revised Standard Version renders it “good sense”).

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .