“When the wicked rise, men hide themselves”: This line is almost identical to the second line of verse 12; see the comments there. “Rise”, as in verse 12, probably refers to the wicked taking control of political power. Revised English Bible says “When the wicked come to the top.”

“But when they perish, the righteous increase”: “They” refers back to the “wicked” in line 1. In this context “perish” does not mean to die or be killed but to cease to be in control, or, as Good News Translation says, “fall from power.” “Increase” translates a word that can mean “become many” or “become great.” The idea expressed is that “righteous become great” or more concretely “honest people come to power.” We may translate this saying, for example, “When wicked people take over control, people hide; but when the wicked fall from power, good people take control.”

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 .