“The light of the eyes rejoices the heart”: “The light of the eyes” most likely refers to the radiant glow on the face of a happy person; but it could also refer to the person who hears good news in the second line. In any event it is assumed that the light is observed in another’s eyes. Accordingly, Good News Translation has “Smiling faces make you happy,” and Contemporary English Version “A friendly smile makes you happy.” “Rejoices the heart” means “makes the heart of the observer rejoice.”

“And good news refreshes the bones”: “Good news” refers to “a good report.” “Refreshes”, according to the Revised Standard Version footnote, is literally “makes fat,” and in reference to “the bones” this is a figurative expression for “well-being.” We may translate, for example, “and getting good news makes you feel good.”

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 .