“Hear, my son, and accept my words”: For “my son” see comments on 1.8. “Accept” is to be open to, to take in, to receive, or to obey. For a similar expression see 2.1. See Good News Translation “take seriously.” “My words”, as in 2.1, refers to the instruction or teaching given by the teacher.

“That the years of your life may be many”: See 3.2, 16, 18. You may find it is better to restructure this verse with an “if” clause followed by a result; for example, “My son, if you will accept my teachings [what I tell you], you will live a long time” or “If you will obey what I teach you, child, you will have a long life.”

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 .