This verse closes the subdivision on the note of the “final” or “utter” ruin of the young person who has rejected instruction.

“I was at the point of utter ruin”: or “I was almost ruined.” “Ruin” is literally “in all evil.” The sense here seems to be that through his foolish behavior he had become the victim of the worst kind of evil, which could mean death or, more likely, dishonor, disgrace, or terrible shame.

“In the assembled congregation”: The two words “assembled” and “congregation” have the same meaning and refer to the assembling or gathering together of this man’s community to examine his offense. It represents a public meeting and many translators render the two words by something equivalent to “public assembly,” “in public,” or “in the open where everyone saw it.” We may render verse 14, for example, “I was about to be brought down to total disgrace in the sight of everyone.”

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 .