“He who commits adultery has no sense”: This verse speaks again of the adulterer and follows the thought of verses 27-29 more than it contrasts with 30-31. Only a stupid person would put fire in his clothes or walk on hot coals. This, however, is the kind of person who “commits adultery”, that is, sleeps with another man’s wife. “Has no sense” is literally “lacks heart,” that is, lacks good sense.

“He who does it destroys himself” is literally “he who does it [goes to bed with another man’s wife] is a destroyer of his own soul.” “Destroy” with “self” as the object means to ruin, corrupt, or make worthless. Bible en français courant says “he causes his own loss” and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “he injures his life.” We may also say, for example, “He will make himself worthless” or “You will end up as nothing.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .