3:6
The two lines of this verse do not have parallel parts. Verse 3:6a gives a command. Verse 3:6b gives the result of obeying the command.
6a in all your ways acknowledge Him,
6b and He will make your paths straight.
In some languages, this relationship can be expressed more naturally by introducing 3:6b with an “if” clause. For example:
⌊If you obey these commands,⌋ then he will straighten the road that you follow.
3:6a
in all your ways acknowledge Him: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as acknowledge Him is literally “know him.” In the OT the “knowledge” of the LORD always implies obeying what he wants. To acknowledge the LORD in all your ways thus means to acknowledge who the LORD is by obeying him in everything you do. Some other ways to translate this idea are:
He is the one you must honor/acknowledge as the LORD ⌊by always obeying him⌋ .
-or-
Always let him lead you, (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Remember the Lord in everything you do (Good News Translation)
3:6b
and He will make your paths straight: The phrase your paths straight is a metaphor for the course of one’s life. This metaphor comes from the process of preparing a road. This is done by making the road straight and level/smooth and removing obstacles so that the traveler will more easily reach his destination. The Contemporary English Version expresses this meaning as:
he will clear the road for you to follow (Contemporary English Version)
The figurative meaning of making someone’s paths smooth also implies causing him to be successful in what he does. For example:
he will give you success (New Century Version)
The metaphor may also imply that by making a traveler’s path straight and smooth, the LORD directs him to the right destination. Thus the Good News Translation has:
he will show you the right way (Good News Translation)
However, the verse itself contains no words that mean “direct/guide.” It is recommended that you focus on the main meaning of making paths straight or smooth.
The metaphor of making a path smooth/straight has more than one possible point of comparison. Therefore, it is recommended that you keep the figure if at all possible, so that you do not limit the meaning unnecessarily. If the figure of a path is not understood clearly, another way to translate the meaning is:
he will remove the obstacles that prevent you from succeeding in what you do
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