2:14

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

14a from those who enjoy doing evil

14b and rejoice in the twistedness of evil

2:14b

rejoice in the twistedness of evil: In Hebrew, the word the Berean Standard Bible translates here as twistedness usually refers to words. Here it is parallel to doing wrong, so it probably refers to actions. The Hebrew word comes from a verb root that means “to turn upside down.” It implies that evil is the opposite of the LORD’s moral standard. This may be the reason why the New Living Translation (1996) translates this line as:

they enjoy evil as it turns things upside down (New Living Translation (1996))

Many English versions, however, translate twistedness with a word that indicates deception. Scholars disagree about the meaning of the phrase twistedness of evil. The difference is not important. Many English versions link the two words with “and.” For example:

they…are happy to do what is crooked and evil (New Century Version)
-or-
they…exult in wicked and subversive acts (Revised English Bible)

General Comment on 2:14a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. For example:

Most of all they enjoy being mean and deceitful. (Contemporary English Version)

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