“For you will heap coals of fire on his head”: “For” marks the action in this line as the result of verse 21. “Heap coals of fire on his head” would mean burning or destroying the person if taken literally. As a figure of speech it refers not to taking vengeance but most probably to producing a feeling of contrition, that is, causing the enemy to feel shame and thus to regret his actions or thoughts. “Coals of fire” refers to hot embers or fiery coals such as are made from burning wood. A literal rendering of this expression will almost always give the wrong sense. Good News Translation is one good model; Contemporary English Version makes the action in this line a simile by saying “This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.”

“And the Lord will reward you”: The “reward” may be understood as making an enemy into a friend by being hospitable and kind. Most English versions simply say “reward.” In the view of the writer it is “the Lord” who brings about the change and gives the reward.

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 .