Verses 9-14 appear to be concerned with the relations of people to their community rather than between individuals.

“With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor”: “Mouth” here refers to talk, gossip, or slander. “Godless” renders an adjective related to a verb and means to be defiled or estranged from God. It may sometimes be translated “person who does not trust God” or “one who turns his back on God.” “Would destroy” renders the causative form of a verb meaning to damage, spoil, or ruin. See 3.28 for comments on “neighbor”.

“But by knowledge the righteous are delivered”: “Knowledge” here is not just facts or information but rather wisdom or good sense. “Delivered” renders the same verb as in verse 8. The thought in this line may be that the righteous person can use his good sense to save himself from trouble or that wise people can rescue others from their troubles.

Traduction Œcuménique de la Bible translates this verse “The ungodly ruins his neighbor with his mouth, but the just will be saved by knowledge.”

Bible en français courant has “Whoever denies God destroys others with his words, but the good escape thanks to their experience.”

Contemporary English Version says “Dishonest people use gossip to destroy their neighbors; good people are protected by their own good sense.”

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 .