Verses 8-11 are loosely linked formally and thematically.
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord“: For “sacrifice” see 7.14. “The sacrifice of the wicked” means “the sacrifice that the wicked make in worship.” This is expressed in some languages as “the killing and burning of animals as a gift to God made by the wicked.” In others a more general expression like “things offered to God” is often used for “sacrifice”. For “abomination to the Lord” see 3.32.
“But the prayer of the upright is his delight”: The contrast here is not between two forms of worship but rather between the ways the Lord responds to the worshipers. “The prayer of the upright” means “the prayer spoken to God by good people” or “the prayer said by the good.” “Prayer” is used in this line for the first time in Proverbs. Both sacrifice and prayer were acceptable forms of worship in the Old Testament. Prayer accompanying sacrifice was primarily petition, that is, asking for special treatment or help. When it comes to translation, languages often have different words for “pray” and “prayer” depending on the content and purpose of the prayer; for example, requests for material help, spiritual blessings, prayers said on behalf of others, giving thanks, and praise. In some languages “to pray” means “to recite.” In the present context a word expressing “prayer” for help is probably most appropriate. For “upright” refer to 2.7. “Delight”, although a different Hebrew word, has the same sense as the term used in 8.30. See there for comments. Contemporary English Version translates this verse “The Lord is disgusted by gifts from the wicked, but it makes him happy when his people pray.”
In this verse and the next it seems more natural in some languages to speak about good people first and then to contrast bad people with them; in this verse, for example, “When good people pray, the Lord is glad to hear them, but he is not glad at all with the sacrifices that bad people make.”
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 .