Comparing Proverbs 7:1-3

My son,
pay attention to my words.
Treasure my commands that are within you.
Obey my commands so that you may live.
Follow my teachings just as you protect the pupil of your eye.
Tie them on your fingers.
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you.
Keep my commandments and live,
And my teaching as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

My son, obey my words,
and treasure my commands.
Keep my commands and live,
and guard my instructions
as you would the pupil of your eye.
Tie them to your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)

My son, obey my words.
Store up my commands inside you.
Obey my commands and you will live.
Guard my teachings as you would guard your own eyes.
Tie them on your fingers.
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Paraphrase (Retelling)

Visit our Bible Translation Guide for more information about the major differences between the clear, natural English of God’s Word and other translations.