“Take heed to the path of your feet”: The Revised Standard Version footnote shows that the word translated “Take heed to” is uncertain in meaning. The literal sense is “to make level,” and so some say “Make a level path for your feet,” meaning “be careful as you go.” Others take the expression to mean to plan, consider, or ponder. Note Good News Translation “Plan carefully. . ..” “Path” translates a word that refers to the track made by a wheel or foot. The expression is metaphorical and is expressed well by Good News Translation “Plan carefully what you do. . ..”

“Then all your ways will be sure”: “Be sure” translates a verb meaning to be carried out properly, to be done in a correct manner. For this clause Bible en français courant has “commit your steps to a sure direction.”

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 .