Proverbs 5:13

For ¹  I did not obey my teachers ²  and I did not heed ³  my instructors. ⁴ 

I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors.

"I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to my instructors!

Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to those who gave me instruction?

Why didn't I listen to my mentors, or take my teachers seriously?

I did not give attention to the voice of my teachers, my ear was not turned to those who were guiding me!

I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors.

I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!

For ¹  I did not obey my teachers ²  and I did not heed ³  my instructors. ⁴ 

¹ tn The vav that introduces this clause functions in an explanatory sense.

² tn The Hebrew term מוֹרַי (moray) is the nominal form based on the Hiphil plural participle with a suffix, from the root יָרָה (yarah). The verb is “to teach,” the common noun is “instruction, law [torah],” and this participle form is teacher (“my teachers”).

³ sn The idioms are vivid: This expression is “incline the ear”; earlier in the first line is “listen to the voice,” meaning “obey.” Such detailed description emphasizes the importance of the material.

⁴ tn The form is the Piel plural participle of לָמַד (lamad) used substantivally.