Gender Neutral

(Proverbs 4:3 KJV)  For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

Translations matter.  Each modern translation has a philosophy.  Sometimes that involves academic or scholarly choices.  Other times it is a decision to go with the culture of the Bible or adapt to modern sensitivities.  This verse is a good illustration.  First, you see little difference between the NASB and the KJV.

(Proverbs 4:3 NAS77)  When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,

Over the rest of the translations on my software you find a similar trend.  The object is the son and the relationships are clearly father and mother.  It is hard to believe who could have a problem with that. 

However, the two translations that I consider paraphrases feel a need to adapt.

(Proverbs 4:3 CEV)  When I was still very young and my mother's favorite child, my father

The Contemporary English Version leaves the entire first reference to the father out and brings the final phrase forward from the next verse.

The Good News Bible goes even further,

(Proverbs 4:3 GNB)  When I was only a little boy, my parents' only son,

Is this the end of the world?  No.  Does it undermine any important doctrine?  No.  Does it make me question the integrity of the translators?  Yes. 

So?  When you are boiling pasta, having more water than the directions say will not make any difference to most applications.  If you are baking a cake it could ruin the entire project.  Read with discernment.