11:18

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

18a
The wicked man earns an empty wage,

18b but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

11:18a

The wicked man earns an empty wage: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as empty is literally “false” or “deceptive.” This expression is figurative. It means that the results or benefits that the wicked person actually gains from his actions are not what he expects. He expects lasting happiness and prosperity. Instead, any benefits that he gains are temporary and disappointing.

Unless your language can use wage in a figurative sense, it is suggested that you translate the meaning directly. For example:

What a wicked person gains is actually worthless.

11:18b

but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward: The words sows and reaps have a figurative meaning here. The phrase sows righteousness means “does what is right or just.” The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as true reward indicates that the righteous person will certainly be rewarded and that the reward will be genuine.

In some languages, the figurative ideas of sowing/planting righteousness and reaping/harvesting a reward may not express the meaning clearly. If that is true in your language, it may be better to translate without using figures of speech. For example:

but if you do what is right, you are certain to be rewarded (Good News Translation)

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