“My son, give me your heart”: This wording, which is followed by New Revised Standard Version and New International Version, seems like an appeal for affection or devotion. But the Hebrew term “heart” refers to a person’s center of thought and commitment, and this is better rendered “mind” in English. So the line calls for the young person’s careful attention: “pay close attention” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) or “pay attention to me” (New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible). For “My son” see 1.8.

“And let your eyes observe my ways”: As the footnote in Revised Standard Version indicates, there is a variation between the written Hebrew text “delight in my ways” and the way that the text has traditionally been read, “observe my ways.” Both make good sense in this context, and some English translations follow each of them. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project favors the written text (“C” rating) and suggests the rendering “be pleased with my ways.” In either case the meaning intended is more than the literal statement about “your eyes”; the appeal to the young person is really to “learn from what I do” or “follow my example.” So Good News Translation has “let my life be your example” and Contemporary English Version “gladly follow my example.”

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 .