Translation commentary on Proverbs 7:24

The teacher has broken off the narrative about the adulterous woman and the young man as they go off to whatever fate awaits them. He now turns his attention again to warning his students.

“And now, O sons, listen to me”: The Hebrew “And now” marks the beginning of the closing advice and may be rendered by an expression that has that function in the translator’s language. In English note Good News Translation and New International Version “Now then. . ..” In some languages the direct address by itself is the natural way to start: “Children, listen to me!” “O sons” is as in 4.1 and 5.7. “Listen to me” is as in 5.7.

“Be attentive to the words of my mouth”: For “be attentive” refer to 4.1 and for “words of my mouth” see 4.5.

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 7:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 7:24:

  • Kupsabiny: “Therefore, oh my sons, listen to what I am telling you.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So now, O my son, listen to my words.
    Pay attention to what I have to say.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Therefore, children, [you (plur.)] listen carefully to what I say.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Therefore my child, be thorough/diligent to listen to what I say.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 7:24

Paragraph 7:24–27

This paragraph contains an exhortation that is based on the warning given in the previous verses.

7:24

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

24a Now, my sons, listen to me,

24b and attend to the words of my mouth.

7:24a–b

Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth: The first line is identical to 5:7a. The second line is almost identical to 4:20a, except that 4:20a is singular. Notice that this lesson was addressed to a singular “son” in 7:1. Here in 7:24 it changes to plural sons, but then changes back to singular in 7:25. See the note on 4:1a. The same change from singular to plural also occurs in 5:7.

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