10:2
Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:
2a
Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing,
2b but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
This proverb states a general principle. In some languages, it may be more natural to talk about “a person” or “people” who gain wealth dishonestly or who are righteous. For example:
A person who becomes rich dishonestly will not benefit from his wealth, but a righteous person will be rescued from death.
In other languages, it may be more natural to use a pronoun such as “you” or “we.” For example:
If you(sing/plur) get rich as a result of doing what is wrong, your(sing/plur) wealth will not benefit you(sing/plur).
-or-
If we(dual/incl) get rich as a result of doing what is wrong, our(dual/incl) wealth will not benefit us(dual/incl).
For this kind of proverb, the meaning lines in the Display will often give only one pronoun choice, for example, “you(sing) ” or “we(incl.).” Use a form in your language that is natural for proverbs that state a general principle. Also see the translation advice on the use of “if” clauses in the General Comment on 1:7a–b.
10:2a
Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing: The phrase Ill-gotten treasures refers to any wealth that a person has obtained wrongly or illegally. The phrase profit nothing does not refer to the actual monetary value of the wealth. It refers to the lasting benefit that a person will get from it. Some other ways to translate this line are:
What you gain by doing evil won’t help you at all (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Riches that a person gets by doing wrong have no lasting value
-or-
No good comes of ill-gotten wealth (Revised English Bible)
10:2b
but righteousness brings deliverance from death: This identical clause is found in 11:4b. In this clause, righteousness is personified. It is described as someone who performs an action.
The clause means that a person who does what is right will be rescued from death. It is implied that the LORD is the one who rescues the person. In some languages, this may need to be made explicit. For example:
but as for the person who does what is right, ⌊the LORD⌋ will save him from death
righteousness: In Hebrew, this word refers here to right or just conduct according to God’s law. See the note on “righteousness” in 8:18b.
brings deliverance from death: In this context, brings deliverance from death probably indicates that a person will be spared/rescued from a premature death. But it may also indicate that he will be given life after death. If possible, you should translate in such a way that your readers can understand either interpretation.
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