“A bad messenger plunges men into trouble”: “Bad” is to be understood here as unreliable or disloyal to the one who sends the messenger. “Plunges” translates a verb meaning “to fall down,” which has been made causative by Revised Standard Version, that is, “causes others to fall.” There are two points of view regarding this verb:

(1) that the “bad messenger” falls into trouble and presumably will be punished by his sender—and thus the faithful messenger in line 2 has nothing to fear;
(2) that the “bad messenger” causes others to fall into trouble through his unreliable or dishonest dealings.

In either case the saying is a warning to anyone seeking to use a messenger as well as being a warning to potential messengers. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project rates the text as “A” and recommends “will fall down,” apparently meaning “will fail in his mission.” But a majority of commentators and versions accept the proposed change in the vowels of the Hebrew verb and take it as causative; for example, “is the cause of trouble” (Bible en français courant). This interpretation fits in well with the second line: “A bad messenger” causes trouble, “a faithful envoy” causes healing.

“But a faithful envoy brings healing”: “Faithful” in reference to “envoy” describes someone who is reliable and loyal to the one who sends him. “Envoy” renders a term that can apply to a government ambassador as in Isa 18.2. The term emphasizes the important function that the messenger often had in political negotiations and business dealings. The difference, if any, between “messenger” and “envoy” is not the point here. Their loyalty or lack of it is. “Healing” contrasts with “trouble” or misfortune in line 1; Good News Translation expresses this contrast well by it rendering “peace” here.

In translating the whole verse, most modern versions express the thought that the “faithful envoy” heals the bad situation created by the disloyal “messenger”; for example, “An evil messenger causes trouble, but a trusty envoy makes all go well again” (New English Bible).

“A bad messenger is the cause of trouble; a faithful envoy sets things right again” (Bible en français courant).

“A wicked messenger brings on disaster, but a trustworthy envoy is a healing remedy” (New American Bible).

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 .