4:4

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

4a he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words ;

4b
keep my commands and you will live.

4:4a

taught me and said: In the context of 4:3, the verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as taught implies that the father taught his son over a period of time. Some English versions make this explicit. For example:

would teach me (Good News Translation)
-or-
used to teach me (God’s Word)

In some languages, it may be more natural to start this verse with a new sentence. For example:

⌊During that time,⌋ my father used to teach me.

Let your heart lay hold of my words: In Hebrew, the heart refers primarily to the mind and intellect, though it also includes the emotions. In other languages, a different part of the body, mind/liver/stomach, may be used instead.

lay hold of: In Hebrew, the verb lay hold of literally means “grasp” or “hold firmly.” It is used figuratively here. It indicates that the son should hold the father’s instruction firmly in his mind. Two ways to translate this clause are:

• Use a figure of speech. For example:

“Cling to my words wholeheartedly. (God’s Word)
-or-
“Hold on to my words with all your heart. (New Century Version)

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

“Keep my words in your thoughts.
-or-
“Remember what I say and never forget it. (Good News Translation)

4:4b

keep my commands: In this context, the Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as keep means “obey.” The same word occurs in 7:1a and 7:2a. The word commands occurs in 2:1b. Some other ways to translate this advice are:

Keep my commandments (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Obey my commands (God’s Word)
-or-
Follow my commands (New Living Translation (2004))

and you will live: The word and introduces the motivation or intended result of paying attention to the father’s commands. The clause you will live implies a long and prosperous life. Other ways to connect these clauses are:

Obey my commands so that you may live. (God’s Word)
-or-
Always obey what I command you, and then you will live.
-or-
Following my commands will result in ⌊a long and prosperous⌋ life.

General Comment on 4:4a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel lines. For example:

If you follow my teachings and keep them in mind, you will live. (Contemporary English Version)

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