“Evil men do not understand justice”: “Evil men” are those who have devoted themselves to doing evil acts. “Do not understand justice” means that such people do not know what justice requires or do not understand what fairness is. Bible en français courant has “Evil people understand nothing of justice.” For “justice” see 1.3.

“But those who seek the Lord understand it completely”: This line contrasts with the first. “Seek the Lord” is an expression that means “to try to obey the Lord” or “to seek to serve or worship the Lord.” Scott translates “the Lord’s servants.” “Understand it completely” is literally “understand all” and means “they understand everything about justice.” See Good News Translation “understand it well.”

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 .