“An evil man seeks only rebellion”: Some interpreters understand this line to say “rebellion seeks an evil man,” but the Revised Standard Version rendering seems to give the correct sense and is more natural. Some understand this line to refer to political or military rebellion; but Whybray thinks it refers to rebellion against God. If that is so, the translation may say, for example, “An evil person seeks only to disobey God.” Most translations, however, are similar to Revised Standard Version and take the “cruel messenger” in the second line as someone sent against the rebel by the king or other authority. In some languages “rebellion” is “fight against the rulers” or “throw down the chief.”

“And a cruel messenger will be sent against him”: “A cruel messenger”, as pointed out above, may refer to someone sent against the rebel to punish him. However, it may also refer to a destructive tempest or storm. Note that Good News Translation makes it refer to death. Contemporary English Version says “Cruel people want to rebel, and so vicious attackers will be sent against them.” One translation that follows a similar approach has “A person whose behavior is bad has a big head and wants to start a fight. But they will send a very cruel person to go and really punish him.” If we take “rebellion” in the sense of plotting to overthrow the rulers, we may also say, for example, “Evil people look for ways to kill their leaders, but merciless soldiers will be sent to punish them.”

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 .