Verses 10-11 are concerned with the well-being of people in the city.

“When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices”: “When . . . well” is literally “in good times/conditions.” The sense of the first clause is “When good people succeed or are successful.” “Rejoices” is to be happy or filled with joy. Here, unlike in the Prophets, where the nation of Israel was all-important, the people of the city or town are the political unit that benefits and rejoices. In many languages it is necessary to say, for example, “The people of the city rejoice.”

“And when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness”: “Perish” is the same verb as in verse 7. This may mean “die,” “be destroyed,” or “ruined materially.” “Shouts of gladness” renders a word that refers to ringing cries of joy. It may be necessary in translation to indicate that “the people of the city shout with joy.” See Good News Translation for a model translation.

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 .