Proverbs 27:23

Pay careful attention to ¹  the condition of your flocks, ²  give careful attention ³  to your herds,

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;

Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds,

Know your sheep by name; carefully attend to your flocks;

Take care to have knowledge about the condition of your flocks, looking well after your herds;

Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds;

Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;

Pay careful attention to ¹  the condition of your flocks, ²  give careful attention ³  to your herds,

¹ tn The sentence uses the infinitive absolute and the imperfect from יָדַע (yada’, “to know”). The imperfect here has been given the obligatory nuance, “you must know,” and that has to be intensified with the infinitive.

² tn Heb “the faces of your flock.”

³ tn The idiom is “place [it on] your heart” or “take to heart.” Cf. NLT “put your heart into.”

sn The care of the flock must become the main focus of the will, for it is the livelihood. So v. 23 forms the main instruction of this lengthy proverb (vv. 23-27).