my son / child

The Hebrew that is translated in English as “my son” or “my child” was translated in Poqomchi’ as “you my son (as it were)” because “in many languages (including the Mayan ones), can only be said to one’s offspring.”

Translation commentary on Proverbs 1:15

Verses 15-19 are again the voice of the teacher advising and warning the learner. They link back to the “if” or “suppose” clause of verse 11; and in some languages it will be advisable to repeat part of that clause here: “My son, if they talk like that, don’t you. . ..”

“My son, do not walk in the way with them”: “My son” is as in verses 8 and 10. “Walk” in this context is similar to the way the word is used in Psa 1.1 “who walks not in the counsel of the wicked.” “Walk” here means “to be associated with,” “to share in their conduct,” or “to do as they do.” Contemporary English Version says “Don’t follow anyone like that. . ..” In some languages this may need to be expressed idiomatically; for example, “Don’t put your feet where they walk” or “Stay away from the path they follow.”

“Hold back your foot from their paths” repeats the thought of the first line but uses other terms, “foot” and “path”. Some will find the repetition of meaning adequately stated with “Stay away from the path they follow and don’t put your feet where they walk.”

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 .

complete verse (Proverbs 1:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 1:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “My child, do not follow/walk together with those people and do not follow their things/words,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “O my son!
    Don’t go along with them.
    Don’t put your foot on their path.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Child, you (sing.) should- not -go-along with them; you (sing.) stay-away from them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Do not follow people like those” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:15

Paragraph 1:15–19

In this paragraph, the father repeats his advice to the son to reject the sinners’ invitation (1:15). He then gives two reasons: (a) Criminals lead evil lives (1:16). (b) They are so foolish they will end up destroying themselves (1:17–18). The paragraph ends with a summary statement (1:19).

1:15

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

15a my son, do not walk the road with them

15b
or set foot on their path.

1:15a

my son: For the meaning of my son, see the note on 1:8a. Here it indicates that the father has finished quoting the words that sinners might say. He is again advising his son. In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit that the father is no longer reporting the words of the criminals. For example:

⌊If that is what they ask you,⌋ my son,

Your language may have a different way to make this clear.

do not walk the road with them: A more literal translation of this clause is: “Do not go/walk in the way with them.” The “way” of sinners, in the context of verses 11–14, means both the actual road leading to the intended place of ambush and also their way of life. If possible, choose an expression that can be understood either way. For example:

don’t go with people like that (Good News Translation)

This translation can mean either “don’t go with them to the place where they have planned an ambush” or “don’t associate with them.”

1:15b

or set foot upon their path: The word foot is a figure of speech that refers to the whole person. This line, like 1:15a, may be understood literally as advice not to start walking on a certain path. For example:

Stay far away from their paths (New Living Translation (2004))

It may also be understood figuratively as advice to avoid a way of life. For example:

Do not do what they do (New Century Version)

General Comment on 1:15a–b

Both of the parallel lines can be understood literally and figuratively. However, in many languages, it will not be possible to express both meanings in each line. If that is true in your language, you may be able to use one of the following translation options:

• Express the literal idea of not going with them (to the ambush) in one line and express the figurative idea of not associating with them or following their lifestyle in the other line. For example:

15a do not go along with them; (New Century Version)

15b do not do what they do. (New Century Version)

• Combine the ideas of both lines and use a verb that expresses both meanings. For example:

“My son, do not join in with people like that.”

Use an appropriate option for your language.

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