Verses 18-20 share a common topic, the contrast between acceptable and unacceptable conduct.

“He who walks in integrity will be delivered”: For “walks in integrity” see 2.7 and 10.9. “Delivered” means here “will be safe” or “will be secure.”

“But he who is perverse in his ways will fall into a pit”: For “perverse in his ways” see 2.15, where “perverse” is rendered “crooked.” “Is perverse” is the opposite of “walks in integrity”, and so we may say “who is dishonest” or “who is corrupt.” Revised Standard Version “will fall into a pit” follows the ancient Syriac translation, where the Hebrew has “fall into one.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project rates the Hebrew text a “B.” It says “fall into one” is linked to “in his ways” (Hebrew “two ways”) and recommends translating “he will fall down all of a sudden” or “he will fall down in one of them [that is, one of the two ways].” Note that Good News Translation follows the first of these recommendations: “you will suddenly fall.” “Fall” here is not to be taken literally but in the sense of “be ruined or destroyed.” Good News Translation is a good model translation.

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 .