“Leave simpleness, and live”: Revised Standard Version follows the Septuagint with “simpleness”. Note that the Hebrew has “simple ones.” Good News Translation translates the Hebrew with “Leave . . . ignorant people.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, which gives the Hebrew text an “A” rating, recommends both the sense of Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, that is, “abandon foolishness” or “abandon foolish people.” “And live” is a consequence of giving up the company of ignorant or foolish people. In many languages it will be necessary to say “and you will live” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). In some cases it will be more natural to reverse the order and say, for example, “If you wish to live, stop making friends with. . .” or “If you wish to live, stop being ignorant.”

“And walk in the way of insight”: “Walk” . . . “way” means “live so that you will have insight” or “do as insight shows you.” For “insight” see 1.2. “Insight” refers to discernment, perception, or understanding. Contemporary English Version says “let understanding guide your steps.”

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 .