“Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly”: “Therefore” marks verse 15 as a conclusion of this subdivision. We may say, for example, “Because of that. . .” or “That is the reason. . ..” “Calamity” refers to distress or suffering. See comments on 1.26.

“In a moment he will be broken beyond healing”: This line is parallel with the first line but adds to the extent of the disaster that will come. “Broken” means that the wicked person will be crushed, destroyed, or ruined. “Beyond healing” means that the destruction cannot be reversed. The person cannot be made whole again, and so we may say, for example, “He is destroyed and brought to death” or “He is ruined and he dies.”

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 .