Translation commentary on Proverbs 4:21

“Let them not escape from your sight” is literally “Don’t let them depart from your eyes.” “Them” refers to the words or sayings used in verse 20. For the meaning of this expression see 3.21.

“Keep them within your heart”: “Keep” translates the same word and concept as in 4.4. This is the positive side of the negative command in the first line. “Keep them within your heart” means to think, remember, and reflect on them. Many languages express the idea of retaining something in the mind as guarding or keeping in the heart, liver, or stomach. In some languages this thought is expressed as “keep it warm in your innermost.”

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 4:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 4:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not let those words pass you by, but fix them in the head” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Never let these [words] be far from you.
    Keep [them] in your heart.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “never forget them, but rather keep them in your (sing.) heart.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Don’t forget (them) but rather store (them) in your (sing.) thoughts.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 4:21

4:21

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

21a
Do not lose sight of them:

21b
keep them within your heart ;

4:21a–b

Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart: The phrase Do not lose sight of them is identical to 3:21a–b. The phrase keep them within your heart is very similar to 3:1b. Try to keep the figures of eyes or eyesight and heart/mind if possible. If this is not possible, use natural expressions in your language that give the meaning without the figures of speech. For example:

Don’t forget a single word, but think about it all. (Contemporary English Version)

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