“By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for”: For comments on “loyalty” and “faithfulness” see 3.3. “Iniquity”, as in 5.22, refers to wrongs, evil acts, or sins. “Is atoned for” translates a form of the verb meaning “to cover” used in 10.12 to mean “forgives.” In this verse the term has that same sense. It is as people practice being loyal and faithful to God that he forgives their sins. See the wording of Good News Translation.

“And by the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil”: “The fear of the Lord” was first used in 1.7. “Avoids evil” may mean “escapes trouble or misfortune.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates this verse “With love and truth sins are forgiven; honoring the Lord keeps one from evil.” We may also say, for example, “If we love God and are faithful to him, he forgives our sin; if we respect him, he keeps us from trouble.” Some, however, take “avoids evil” to mean that those who “fear the Lord” do not do what is wrong. Revised English Bible, for instance, says “the fear of the Lord makes mortals turn from evil,” and Contemporary English Version “if we show him respect, we will keep away from sin.” Translators may follow either of these interpretations.

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 .