“My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion”: For “My son” see 1.8. “Keep” is the same Hebrew word as “guarding” in 2.8. “Sound wisdom” is as in 2.7. For “discretion” see 1.4. A footnote in Revised Standard Version shows that this is actually the second line in the Hebrew text.

“Let them not escape from your sight”: As the Hebrew text stands there is nothing in verse 20 that “them” can refer back to. It most naturally relates to “sound wisdom” and “discretion” in the other line of this verse. Various suggestions have been made to retain the Hebrew clause order, but most interpreters and translators agree to transpose the two lines. “Escape” renders a verb meaning to depart, leave, or go away. “Your sight” is literally “your eyes.” The idea is not that wisdom should be visible to the eyes but that it must never be far from the mind, thoughts, or heart; as Contemporary English Version says “Always keep them in mind.”

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 .