14:11

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

11a
The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

11b but the tent of the upright will flourish.

14:11a–b

house of the wicked…tent of the upright: It is possible that house and tent are just poetic synonyms, with no contrast intended. But there are probably implied contrasts between them. These contrasts are ironic:

(a) Wicked people live in a ⌊permanent⌋ shelter, a house. Upright people live in a ⌊temporary⌋ shelter, a tent.

(b) The ⌊apparently sturdy⌋ house collapses, but the ⌊relatively unstable⌋ tent flourishes.

Almost all versions keep these contrasts, though they do not make explicit the characteristics of houses and tents.

In this proverb, the words house and tent describe literal dwelling places. They create a contrasting picture in the minds of the readers. But the main point is the contrasting things that happen to the people who live in these dwellings.

For translation advice, see the General Comment on 14:11a–b after the note on “will flourish” in 14:11b.

14:11a

The house of the wicked will be destroyed: This line probably refers mainly to the household/family of the wicked, not just the house in which they live. For example:

The household of the wicked will be destroyed (NET Bible)

will be destroyed: This is a passive verb. It almost always refers to people or nations being annihilated in vengeance or judgment. In such contexts, God is either the explicit or implied subject.

In languages that do not use passive verbs, you may use an active verb and supply the LORD as the subject. For example:

⌊The LORD⌋ will cause the house of the wicked to collapse.
-or-
⌊The LORD⌋ will destroy the household of the wicked.

14:11b

but the tent of the upright: The word tent refers to a temporary shelter that was made from animal skins. A pole or poles supported the roof and walls. It was fastened by cords to pegs in the ground. If people in your culture are not familiar with tents, you may use a descriptive phrase. For example:

animal-skin shelter
-or-
temporary dwelling

It is also suggested that you include a picture of a tent in your translation.

The word upright last occurred in 14:9b. Also see the note in 11:3a.