Proverbs 4:26

4:26 Make the path for your feet ¹  level, ² 

so that ³  all your ways may be established. ⁴ 

Proverbs 16:11

16:11 Honest scales and balances ⁵  are from the Lord;

all the weights ⁶  in the bag are his handiwork.

[4:26]  ¹ tn Heb “path of your foot.”

[4:26]  ² sn The verb is a denominative Piel from the word פֶּלֶס (peles), “balance; scale.” In addition to telling the disciple to keep focused on a righteous life, the sage tells him to keep his path level, which is figurative for living the righteous life.

[4:26]  ³ tn The vav prefixed to the beginning of this dependent clause denotes purpose/result following the preceding imperative.

[4:26]  ⁴ tn The Niphal jussive from כּוּן (cun, “to be fixed; to be established; to be steadfast”) continues the idiom of walking and ways for the moral sense in life.

[16:11]  ⁵ tn Heb “a scale and balances of justice.” This is an attributive genitive, meaning “just scales and balances.” The law required that scales and measures be accurate and fair (Lev 19:36; Deut 25:13). Shrewd dishonest people kept light and heavy weights to make unfair transactions.

[16:11]  ⁶ tn Heb “stones.”