“In all your ways acknowledge him”: “Your ways” refers to your undertakings, everything you do. “Acknowledge him” is to know him, have an intimate acquaintance with him, be aware of him. In the present context it is not simply an intellectual awareness of God’s existence but acceptance of God’s presence to guide and direct your life. Good News Translation renders this “remember the Lord.” Contemporary English Version has “Always let him lead you,” which is a good model for translating.

“And he will make straight your paths”: “Make straight” renders a verb that means to smooth out, make level, or remove the obstacles in preparing a roadway. See Isa 40.3 and Psa 5.8. We may translate by keeping the figurative expression; for example, “He will show you the right path” or “He will make your path level.” The nonfigurative sense may be expressed, for example, “He will show you what to do” or “He will direct your life.” Some translations introduce this line with “If you do this, he will. . ..”

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 .