“Her ways are ways of pleasantness”: “Her ways” refers to the guidance, direction, or leading that wisdom provides. “Pleasantness” renders a word meaning “delightful,” “gracious,” “agreeable,” or “lovely.” We may translate, for example, “She will guide you along pleasant paths” or “Wisdom will lead you graciously.” Contemporary English Version says “Wisdom makes life pleasant.”

“All her paths are peace”: “Paths” translates the same word as used in 1.15. “Her paths” are not to be taken as the paths that she owns but rather the paths she leads people along, that is, “where she leads you.” “Peace” renders the Hebrew shalom that refers to well-being, safety, and security. Some translators may find it more natural to render the second line as “Wisdom will guide you safely” or “She will direct your way securely.” See Good News Translation.

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 .