18 The idea of “slipping” (participle from מוֹט, mot) has troubled some commentators. G. R. Driver emends it to read “at the point of” (“Problems in Proverbs,” 50 [1932]: 146). But the as it stands makes good sense. The reference would be general, , to help any who are in mortal danger or who might be tottering on the edge of such disaster—whether through sin, or through disease, war, or danger. Several English versions (e.g., , , ) render this term as “staggering.” God holds people responsible for rescuing those who are in mortal danger. The use of “death” and “slaughter” seems rather strong in the passage, but they have been used before in the book for the destruction that comes through evil.
19 Heb “weighs” (so , , ) meaning “tests” or “evaluates.”
20 The verse completes the saying by affirming that people will be judged responsible for helping those in mortal danger. The verse uses a series of rhetorical questions to affirm that God knows our hearts and we cannot plead ignorance.
21 The twenty-sixth saying teaches that one should develop wisdom because it has a profitable future. The saying draws on the image of honey; its health-giving properties make a good analogy to wisdom.
22 D. W. Thomas argues for a meaning of “seek” in place of “know” (“Notes on Some Passages in the Book of Proverbs,” 38 [1937]: 400–403).
23 The phrase “is sweet” is supplied in the translation as a clarification.
24 The term “it” is supplied in the translation.
25 Heb “there will be an end.” The word is אַחֲרִית (’akhrit, “after-part, end”). 31 b says in a passage like this it means “a future,” i.e., a happy close of life, sometimes suggesting the idea of posterity promised to the righteous, often parallel to “hope.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Rescue those who are being taken away to death;

hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.

If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”

does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,

and will he not repay man according to his work?

My son, eat honey, for it is good,

and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

Know that wisdom is such to your soul;

if you find it, there will be a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Rescue those being led away to death;

hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”

does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who guards your life know it?

Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

Eat honey, my son, for it is good;

honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.

Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:

If you find it, there is a future hope for you,

and your hope will not be cut off.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Rescue those being taken off to death,

and save those stumbling toward slaughter.

If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,”

won’t he who weighs hearts consider it?

Won’t he who protects your life know?

Won’t he repay a person according to his work?

Eat honey, my son, for it is good,

and the honeycomb is sweet to your palate;

realize that wisdom is the same for you.

If you find it, you will have a future,

and your hope will never fade.

NLTNew Living Translation

Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;

save them as they stagger to their death.

Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”

For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.

He who guards your soul knows you knew.

He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

My child, eat honey, for it is good,

and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.

In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.

If you find it, you will have a bright future,

and your hopes will not be cut short.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Rescue those who are led away to the death

and those who stagger to the slaughter. If you hold back,

if you say, “Look, we do not know this,”

does not he who weighs hearts perceive it?

And he who keeps your soul,

he knows and will repay humankind according to his deeds.

My child, eat honey, for it is good,

and the dripping of the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

Thus know wisdom for the sake of your soul,

if you find it, then there is a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

KJV 1900King James Version

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death,

And those that are ready to be slain;

If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not;

Doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it?

And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it?

And shall not he render to every man according to his works?

My son, eat thou honey, because it is good;

And the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul:

When thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward,

And thy expectation shall not be cut off.

Public Domain