“When you walk, your step will not be hampered”: “Walk” in this line and “run” in the next are used figuratively to refer to whatever action or decision a person may take. A similar expression occurs in Job 18.7. In languages in which “walk” and “run” cannot be used figuratively in this way, it is better to switch to other expressions that give the meaning in plain terms; for example, “When you undertake something in your life, you will succeed,” “When you decide to do something, it will go well with you,” or “When you make plans, everything will turn out well.”

The word rendered “hampered” in this context means to be impeded or to run into obstacles or hindrances so that you cannot go forward. Contemporary English Version translates “Your road won’t be blocked.” We may also say, for example, “When you go ahead, the way will be open for you.”

“And if you run, you will not stumble”: This line is parallel to the first line, with an increase in intensity due to the switch from “walk” to “run” and from “be hampered” to “stumble”. “Stumble” renders a different word than that used in 3.23, but the sense is the same.

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 .