“My son, if sinners entice you”: For “My son” see verse 8. “Sinners” is generally a description of those who do not obey God’s will as made known in the law. In this context, however, “sinners” are persons of bad moral character. In many languages “sinners” must be expressed by a verb phrase, for example, “people who do evil deeds.” In some translations people whose behavior is particularly bad are referred to, for example, “members of town gangs or robbers.” “Entice” has the sense of “tempt,” “allure,” or “lead astray.”

“Do not consent”: that is, do not “accept,” “be willing,” “give in to.” In a positive manner we may say, for example, “resist,” “say ‘no,’” or “stand firm.” In some languages the “if” clause must be placed after the command for a natural sequence of clauses; for example, “My child, do not give in if sinners tempt you.”

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 .