1:9

This verse contains two parallel metaphors. The metaphors compare the advice of a person’s father and mother to a garland and a chain/necklace.

9a For they are a garland of grace on your head

9b and a pendant around your neck.

1:9a–b

Both a garland/wreath and a necklace/pendant gave the person wearing them an attractive appearance and may have indicated honorable status. The meaning of both metaphors is that wearing a wreath or necklace gives a person honor and makes him physically attractive. In the same way, the advice of a person’s parents (if heeded) will make his character attractive and honored in the eyes of others. If the meaning of these metaphors is not clear in your language, you may need to use one of the following translation options:

• Change the metaphors to similes. For example:

For they will be like an elegant garland on your head, and like pendants around your neck. (NET Bible)

• Change the metaphors to similes. Instead of “garland,” use a figure of speech that has a similar meaning in your culture. For example:

Their teaching will be like flowers in your hair or a necklace around your neck. (New Century Version)
-or-
as…a lovely hat or a pretty necklace (Contemporary English Version)

• Use one or more figures of speech that have a similar meaning in your culture and make the point of similarity explicit. For example:

Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance. (Good News Translation)

1:9a

For: The Hebrew text for this sentence begins with a word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For, which introduces the reason why a person should obey his parents’ advice.

they: The word they refers to the advice of a person’s father and mother. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this more explicit. For example:

Their teaching (Good News Translation)
-or-
What you learn from them (New Living Translation (2004))

a garland of grace on your head: The word garland refers to a wreath made from flowers or small leafy branches. It was worn on the head.

1:9b

pendant: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pendant refers to a “necklace” (Good News Translation).

General Comment on 1:9a–b

In some languages, it may be clearer to combine and/or reorder the ideas in these verse parts. For example:

Your parents’ teaching will improve your character like ornaments improve your appearance.

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