20 Heb “my son” (likewise in v. 20).
21 The vav prefixed to the imperfect verb follows an imperative; this volitive sequence depicts purpose/result.
22 Heb “and the years of life will be many for you.”
23 The form הֹרֵתִיךָ (horetikha) is the Hiphil perfect with a suffix from the root יָרָה (yarah, “to guide”). This and the parallel verb should be taken as instantaneous perfects, translated as an English present tense: The sage is now instructing or pointing the way. The verb יָרָה (yarah) means “to teach; to instruct; to guide.” This is from the same root as the Hebrew word for “law” (torah). See G. R. Driver, “Hebrew Notes,” 1 (1951): 241–50; and J. L. Crenshaw, “The Acquisition of Knowledge in Israelite Wisdom Literature,” 7 (1986): 9.
24 Heb “in the tracks of uprightness”; cf. “on straightforward paths.” Both the verb and the object of the preposition make use of the idiom—the verb is the Hiphil perfect from דֶּרֶךְ (derekh, related to “road; way”) and the object is “wagon tracks, paths.”
25 The noun צַעֲדֶךָ (tsa’adekha, “your steps”) and the temporal infinitive בְּלֶכְתְּךָ (belekhtékha, “when you walk”) use the idiom of walking to represent the course of life. On that course there will be no obstacles; the “path” will be straight—morally and practically.
26 The verb צָרַר (tsarar, “to be narrow; to be constricted”) refers to that which is narrow or constricted, signifying distress, trouble, adversity; that which was wide-open or broad represents freedom and deliverance.
27 The progression from walking to running is an idiom called “anabasis,” suggesting that as greater and swifter progress is made, there will be nothing to impede the progress (e.g., Isa 40:31).
28 Heb “discipline.”
29 The form נִצְּרֶהָ (nitséreha, from נָצַר, natsar) has an anomalous doubled letter (see §20.h).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Hear, my son, and accept my words,

that the years of your life may be many.

I have taught you the way of wisdom;

I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

When you walk, your step will not be hampered,

and if you run, you will not stumble.

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;

guard her, for she is your life.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Listen, my son, accept what I say,

and the years of your life will be many.

I instruct you in the way of wisdom

and lead you along straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;

when you run, you will not stumble.

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;

guard it well, for it is your life.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Listen, my son. Accept my words,

and you will live many years.

I am teaching you the way of wisdom;

I am guiding you on straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;

when you run, you will not stumble.

Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.

Guard it, for it is your life.

NLTNew Living Translation

My child, listen to me and do as I say,

and you will have a long, good life.

I will teach you wisdom’s ways

and lead you in straight paths.

When you walk, you won’t be held back;

when you run, you won’t stumble.

Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.

Guard them, for they are the key to life.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Listen, my child, take my sayings,

and the years of your life shall be great.

In the way of wisdom I have instructed you;

I have led you in the path of uprightness.

When you walk, your step will not be hampered,

and if you run, you will not stumble.

Seize the instruction! Do not let go!

Guard her, for she is your life.

KJV 1900King James Version

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;

And the years of thy life shall be many.

I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;

I have led thee in right paths.

When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened;

And when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go:

Keep her; for she is thy life.

Public Domain