6:22

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

22a
When you walk, they will guide you ;

22b
when you lie down, they will watch over you ;

22c
when you awake, they will speak to you.

In this verse, the parents’ teachings are personified as a constant guide, guardian, and adviser for the young man.

6:22a

When you walk: In this context, the clause When you walk means to go about from place to place while doing one’s daily tasks. It does not mean “walk” in contrast to some other way of moving, nor is the meaning limited to “when you travel” (Good News Translation). The meaning is better expressed by:

while you are active (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
during the day

they will guide you: The parents’ instruction is described as a guide who walks ahead of the young man to show him the right path to take.

6:22b

when you lie down: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as lie down means to lie down in order to go to sleep. The Good News Translation uses neither of these verbs. It expresses the same meaning by focusing on the time when most people sleep. It has:

at night

they will watch over you: Parental teaching is personified as a night watchman or guard who protects people from harm or danger.

6:22c

when you awake, they will speak to you: The phrase speak to you refers to advice, not to mere conversation. When the young man wakes up in the morning, the lessons he has learned from his parents will be with him like a companion to advise him.

General Comment on 6:22a–c

You are encouraged to use personification if possible, but if it is not natural in your language, here are some other options:

• Use similes. For example:

As you go about your daily activities, your parents’ teaching will be like a guide who shows you the right path to take. At night their teaching will be like a guard who protects you from danger. And when you wake up again in the morning, their words will still be in your mind, like a constant companion who offers you good advice.

• If figurative language is not possible, translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

If you do this, you will have a good basis for making decisions as you go from place to place during the day. Following their instruction will also protect you from things that might harm you as you sleep. And when you wake up again, their words will still be there in your mind as a source of good advice.

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