“The Lord is a stronghold to him whose way is upright”: “Stronghold” renders a word that refers to a place of refuge or safety where a person can seek protection. For “upright” see 2.7, 21. Revised Standard Version has been revised by New Revised Standard Version to “The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project supports New Revised Standard Version as far as the structure of the line is concerned; however, it translates “the Lord‘s way is a stronghold for integrity.” It considers the Hebrew text as an “A” in favor of “integrity” or “perfection” over against “the perfect [upright] man.” Although the New Revised Standard Version rendering is possible, many interpreters feel it makes better sense if “way” refers to the conduct of the good person. See also 11.20 and 13.6. Good News Translation translates only as “honest people.” Contemporary English Version says “The Lord protects everyone who lives right.”

“But destruction to evildoers”: This line is the same as 21.15b; however, the subject to be understood is the “Lord” or “he” from the first line. The contrasting parallel is between “stronghold” and “destruction”, as well as between “upright” and “evildoers”. Some translations make the contrast clearer by shifting to clauses; for example, Bible en français courant has “The Lord is a fortress for honest people, but he destroys those who do evil.”

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 .