11:9

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

9a
With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor,

9b but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

This verse contrasts the way that the godless destroy the reputations of others and the way that the righteous escape from this kind of destruction.

11:9a

With his mouth: The word mouth is a figure of speech (metonymy). It represents the words that the godless person speaks that ruin his neighbor’s reputation. Some other ways to translate this figure of speech are:

By their words the godless try to ruin others (Revised English Bible)
-or-
You can be ruined by the talk of godless people (Good News Translation)

Most versions do not specify the kind of words that the godless person uses. He probably uses slander or gossip. But it is also possible that he uses flattering words in order to trick his neighbor. If possible, use a term that can be understood either way.

the ungodly man: This word refers to a person who ignores God or has turned his back on God. Some other ways to translate this word are:

the one who has no god
-or-
the one who has rejected the LORD

neighbor: In Hebrew, this word can refer to anyone with whom a person interacts, including a close friend or an acquaintance. It does not refer only to a person who lives nearby. See the note on 3:28a–b.

11:9b

but through knowledge the righteous are rescued: There are two ways to interpret this statement:

(1) Through his knowledge/wisdom, a righteous person escapes. He is not destroyed by the words of the godless. For example:

but a good person will escape by being smart (New Century Version)

(2) Through his knowledge/wisdom, a righteous person helps others to escape. The others are not destroyed by the words of the godless. For example:

but the wisdom of the righteous can save you (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and scholars.

knowledge: The word knowledge refers here to the righteous person’s wisdom in knowing how to deal effectively with slander. Some other ways to translate this word are:

wise discernment (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
wisdom (Good News Translation)
-or-
their own good sense (Contemporary English Version)

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