“He who walks in uprightness fears the Lord“: “He who walks” translates an active participle meaning “the one walking.” Note that New Revised Standard Version says “those who walk.” “Walks in uprightness” is first used here, but has the same sense as the saying used in 8.20; see there for comments. For “fears the Lord” see the comments on 1.7. Revised English Bible renders this line “A person whose conduct is upright fears the Lord,” Contemporary English Version has “By living right, you show that you respect the Lord,” and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “Whoever lives honestly takes God seriously.” See Good News Translation also.

“But he who is devious in his ways despises him”: The expression “devious in his ways” was first used in 2.15. See there for comments. This expression contrasts with “walks in uprightness” in line 1. “Despises”, meaning “shows contempt,” “regards with scorn,” or “considers as worthless,” is used in 1.7 and 6.30. “Despises him” contrasts with “fears the Lord“. We may translate this verse by saying, for example: “Whoever lives an honest life honors the Lord, but living a dishonest life shows scorn for him.”

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 .