This saying is closely similar in meaning to verse 13.

“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life”: “The teaching of the wise” is the torah, which as in 1.8 and throughout Proverbs means “instruction,” the instruction given by those who are wise, or what the wise teach to others. “Fountain” renders a term that refers commonly to a source of flowing water and may be expressed as “spring.” For comments on “fountain of life” see 10.11. This line may be rendered as in Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation. However, it may be necessary to adjust it to say, for example, “What the wise ones teach is like a fountain of life” or “What the wise teach gives life like a fountain gives water.”

“That one may avoid the snares of death”: Line 2 does not parallel line 1 nor does it contrast with it. Rather, it extends it and states its purpose. “That one may avoid” means “so you may escape from” or “in order to stay away from.” “Snares of death” is a figurative expression that pictures death as snaring or trapping people. In some languages it is possible to personify death in a different way; for example, “. . . in order to escape being caught by death” or “. . . to prevent death from taking hold of you.” If neither the figure nor the personification can be used, it may be necessary to say, for example, “in order to keep you from dying.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .