The structure of verses 11-14 sets out the words that the sinners are imagined as saying in their attempt to lead the young person astray. This can be seen clearly in Revised Standard Version, which follows the Hebrew form closely.

“If they say”: Note that Good News Translation begins with “Suppose they say” in order to make clear that the proposals are given as an example of what sinners might suggest doing. Some other translations have “They might say to you. . ..” Contemporary English Version relates verse 10 to verse 11 by saying in verse 10 “Don’t be tempted . . . [verse 11] when they say. . ..” Similarly some translations begin verse 11 with “Those people talk like this. . ..” Translators may find the Contemporary English Version model helpful.

“Come with us” opens the invitation to the young person to participate with evildoers. The pronoun “us” is exclusive here, but it must be inclusive from the next clause onward, where the “sinners” describe what they and the young man will all do together.

“Let us lie in wait for blood”: “Lie in wait” renders a military expression referring to an ambush, that is, to hide and take someone by surprise. A common rendering is “hide beside the road, and when somebody comes. . ..” “Blood” here means to shed someone’s blood, that is, to kill them.

“Let us wantonly ambush the innocent”: The imagined proposal of the sinners continues. “Wantonly” renders an adverb meaning “without cause,” “groundless,” or “for no good reason.” Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version say “for the fun of it.” “Ambush”, which means to lie hidden or to lurk, is parallel in sense with “lie in wait”. “Innocent” refers to people who are helpless in that they have no way to protect themselves and are unaware of the ambush being laid for 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 .