en_tn_condensed/mal/02/07.md

# For a priest's lips should keep knowledge

Here knowledge is spoken of as if it were an object that a priest could keep. In this passage, the idea of "keep knowledge" implies communicating true knowledge about God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# seek instruction

Here instruction is spoken of as if it were an object that people could look for. This can be restated to remove the abstract noun "instruction." Alternate translation: "want to be instructed" or "want a priest to teach them truly" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns]])

# from his mouth

Here "mouth" stands for what a person says. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])