“The lot is cast into the lap”: “The lot” was first used in 1.14. See there for discussion. It is not likely that the casting of the lots Urim and Thummim (Exo 28.30; Lev 8.8) is meant here, as priests are never mentioned in Proverbs. No purpose for casting lots is mentioned in this verse, but the point is made that, regardless of the reason, the Lord has the final say as to the outcome. “The lap” refers to the part of the long garment that covered the legs when the wearer was seated. The lots, perhaps specially marked pebbles, were thrown into this part of the garment stretched between the upper part of the legs. Good News Translation assumes that the casting of lots was to determine God’s will, but lots were also cast to decide numerous other practical matters. Contemporary English Version avoids referring to casting lots by saying “We make our own decisions.”

“But the decision is wholly from the Lord“: “The decision” may be taken here to mean that the Lord decides how the lots will fall or that the Lord and not mere chance will determine how a matter is decided. In some languages “decision” is expressed as “cutting the word.” In this case the translation may be expressed, for example, “You may throw your dice, but it is the Lord who cuts the words.” Contemporary English Version has “We make our own decisions, but the Lord alone determines what happens.”

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 .