“He will accept no compensation” is literally “He will not lift the face of every ransom.” “Lift the face” means to look at or to consider; that is, he will not pay any attention or he will not look at any payment that is offered him. “Compensation” is to be understood as payment offered to the offended husband to prevent revenge or a trial that could result in the death of the adulterer.

“Nor be appeased though you multiply gifts”: “Appeased” renders a verb meaning to agree, consent, or accept. New Revised Standard Version says “and [he] refuses a bribe no matter how great.” “Multiply gifts” means to give all kinds of bribes or to bribe over and over in order to prevent the husband from taking action. This verse may be translated, for example, “He will not accept a large sum of money to end his anger.”

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 .