4:26

Verse 4:26a gives a command. Verse 4:26b gives the result of obeying the command. The Revised Standard Version has been used as the source line for the first line, because it follows the recommended interpretation.

26a Take heed to the path of your feet, (Revised Standard Version)

26b and all your ways will be sure.

4:26a

(Revised Standard Version) Take heed to the path of your feet: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew verb that is used here. Both are figurative:

(1) “Carefully consider the path of your feet.” The figurative meaning is: Plan carefully what you will do. For example:

Survey the course you take (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(2) “Make level/straight the path of your feet.” The figurative meaning is: Remove any obstacles to moral progress as you proceed through life. For example:

Keep straight the path of your feet (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It fits better with the preceding and following contexts of looking straight ahead and not swerving off the right path.

Other ways to translate this command are:

• Keep the figurative idea of a path or a journey. For example:

Carefully consider the path that you will take.
-or-
Know where you are headed (Contemporary English Version)

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

Be careful what you do (New Century Version)

4:26b

and all your ways will be sure: There are two ways to interpret this line:

(1) This line is a statement that gives the result of obeying the command in the first line. For example:

and your ways will be secure (Revised English Bible)

(2) This line is an additional command. For example:

stay on the safe path (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation follows normal Hebrew grammatical patterns.

In Hebrew, the verb will be sure is literally “will be firm/stable/established.” This figure of speech refers to walking on solid ground. The nonfigurative meaning is that your actions will have a safe or successful outcome.

Some ways to translate this line are:

• Retain the figure of speech. For example:

and you will stay on solid ground (Contemporary English Version)

• State the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

all your ways will prosper (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
whatever you do will turn out right (Good News Translation)

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