The two lines of this verse mirror the two lines of the previous verse, giving the whole saying a chiastic (A-B-B-A) structure. The theme in line 1 is taking action in court (line 2 of verse 22); in line 2 it is robbing or taking advantage of people (line 1 of verse 22).

«For the Lord will plead their cause»: This consequence deals with the situation in line 2 of the previous verse. If people cheat or take advantage of those who are defenseless in court, the Lord will «plead their cause», that is, “act in their defense” or “take up their cause.” The picture is of the Lord acting as lawyer for those who have no other help. One translation expresses this line as “The Lord will stand by them and help them.”

«And despoil of life those who despoil them»: The sense of the verb «despoil» is very similar to that of the verb “rob” in verse 22. This consequence deals with the situation in line 1 of the previous verse: those who rob helpless people, the Lord will rob of everything, even life itself. Contemporary English Version renders it, “what you do to them, he will do to you.” New International Version expresses this as “and will plunder those who plunder them.”

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 .