The structure and argument of this verse takes the form, “A, much more B.” Revised Standard Version shows this structure also in 15.11; 17.7; 19.7, 10; and 21.27.

“If the righteous is requited on earth”: The Hebrew text begins with a particle that calls attention to what follows (King James Version “Behold”). In many languages rendering this particle as “If . . .” will give completely the wrong meaning, since it will say that the righteous may not get any reward. An alternative approach is to say “We know that . . . and so we can be sure. . ..” “Requite” means to repay, reward, or compensate. “On earth” should be understood as “on this earth” or “here on earth,” as in Good News Translation. If we keep the form of Revised Standard Version, we may say, for example, “If good people receive what is just on this earth” or “If good people get what they deserve here on earth.”

“How much more the wicked and the sinner”: “How much more” is literally “also indeed,” a rhetorical device for adding emphasis to the second line; translators should use whatever device is appropriate for emphasis in their own language. “The wicked and the sinner” do not designate two kinds of evil people but are used together to make the expression emphatic and inclusive. The verb “requite” is to be understood as also applying to the second line. “Requite” as applied to sinners means “punish.” See Good News Translation.

For the whole verse Bible en français courant says “If good people are rewarded on earth, one can be certain that the wicked and the sinner will receive what they deserve.”

We may modify the form of this to say “We know that good people will receive their reward in this world, and this means that bad people too who keep on sinning will certainly get what they deserve.”

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 .