“He who loves transgression loves strife”: “Transgression”, as in 10.19, refers to bad behavior, lack of good sense in dealing with others. “Loves transgression” may need to be expressed as “loves to act wickedly” or “likes to do evil.” “Strife”, as in 13.10, means trouble, fighting, or quarreling. We may translate this line, for example, “If you like acting wickedly, you will like being in trouble.”

“He who makes his door high seeks destruction”: “Door” is literally “opening,” and so it may be rendered “entrance” or “doorway”; however, the meaning of “high opening” is very uncertain. Interpreters vary in their understanding of “makes his door high”. It may mean that to display your wealth with a fancy door or gate is an invitation for thieves to come. That is apparently the interpretation of Revised English Bible “One who builds a lofty entrance invites disaster.” On the basis of Micah 7.5, where “door” occurs with “mouth,” some scholars have taken “door” in this line to refer to the mouth. “High” renders a word that sometimes means “proud” or “arrogant,” as in 16.5. Accordingly, a “high mouth” is taken to mean “pride or arrogance.” Good News Translation has “brag,” and Moffatt “talks arrogantly.” For “destruction” see 16.18. We may render this line, for example, “and anyone who speaks proudly will be destroyed.”

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 .