complete verse (Proverbs 23:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 23:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “My son, listen and understand. Follow the upright words/matters.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “O My son, listen and be wise.
    Put your heart on the right path.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Child, you (sing.) listen to what I am teaching you (sing.). [You (sing.)] be-wise and follow the right path.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “My child, listen to my advice. May you (sing.) become-thinking/reflective so that you (sing.) will follow what is right.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 23:19

“Hear, my son, and be wise”: For “Hear, my son” see 1.8. For “be wise” see 6.6; 8.33. In this context it is taken by some to mean “become wise,” that is, “by listening to what I am going to tell you now.” Others take it to mean “you must act wisely [in your life, in the situation I am going to speak about now].” The next line continues this advice, so it will have a bearing on the way we express the verb in this line.

“And direct your mind in the way”: “Direct your mind” is literally “make your heart go straight.” “The way” refers to a person’s “way of life” or “lifestyle.” The meaning of Revised Standard Version is not very clear. Some clearer expressions are “set your mind on the right course” (Revised English Bible), “Give attention to following the right path” (Scott), “have enough sense to follow the right path” (Contemporary English Version), and “give serious thought to the way you live” (Good News Translation).

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 23:19

Paragraph 23:19–21 Saying 15

This saying warns the son not to participate in excessive drinking and eating. Verse 23:19 exhorts the son to pay attention to the teacher’s advice. Verse 23:20 gives the actual warning. Verse 23:21 explains why the son should heed the warning.

23:19

The two lines of this verse are parallel commands with similar meanings. They urge the son to use his hearing and thinking abilities so that he will understand and obey the advice that follows.

19a Listen, my son, and be wise,

19b and keep your heart on the right path.

23:19a

Listen, my son: In most English versions, this command looks identical to the command in 1:8a. In Hebrew, the command here is literally “Listen you my son.” The extra pronoun “you” emphasizes that the teacher/father wants his son, as an individual, to pay special attention. Some ways that English versions have indicated this emphasis are:

You, my child, hear (LEB)
-or-
Oh listen, dear child (MSG)

If there is a natural way to express this emphasis in your language, consider using it here.

and be wise: In Hebrew and in most English versions, this clause is a command. For example:

Listen to me, my children! Be wise… (Contemporary English Version)

This clause also functions simultaneously as a purpose or result of the preceding command to listen. For example:

so that you will become wise
-or-
and then you will become wise

You may use either option. Translate the relationship between the two clauses in a natural way in your language.

See how you translated 6:6 (second line) and 8:33 (first line). In those verses, the identical command also follows another command. (The Berean Standard Bible translates this command as “become wise” in 6:6 and as “be wise” in 8:33.)

23:19b

and guide your heart on the right course: This command also functions as a purpose or result of the command to listen as well as the command to become wise. All three commands are closely related to each other. A person who listens to good advice will become wise and will also keep his heart on the right path.

In Hebrew, this command is literally “and make your heart go straight in the way.” It indicates that the son should direct his mind or thoughts so that he keeps walking along the course. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word right because it is implied that a person who wisely listens to his father’s advice will follow a course of good conduct. Some other ways to translate this command are:

Keep your mind on what is right. (New Century Version)
-or-
have enough sense to follow the right path (Contemporary English Version)

Other commands that use the Hebrew word for heart occur in 22:17b and 23:12a, but the figures of speech in these verses are slightly different. Be sure to compare the similarities and differences.

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