Verses 5-6 contrast the plans and words of the righteous with those of the wicked, and in verse 7 the contrast is that the wicked are defeated while the righteous stand firm.

“The thoughts of the righteous are just”: This saying compares the thinking or mind of good people with that of the wicked. “Thoughts” are here more than words; they are “plans” or “intentions” used in a good sense. “Just” renders the Hebrew word for “judgment.” The term is used in Job 29.14 where Job speaks of wearing justice as a robe and turban. The sense is to do the right thing or to act justly or fairly (see “justice” in 1.3). In this verse it is the plans or purposes of good people in their fair treatment of others.

“The counsels of the wicked are treacherous”: “Counsels” in line 2 has much the same sense as “thoughts” in line 1. The same word is used in 11.14 (translated “guidance”) in the sense of advice or admonition. “Treacherous” contrasts with fairness in line 1 and means deceitful or unfair.

In many languages this verse needs to be restructured so that “the righteous” and “the wicked” are the subjects of the contrasting statements. See Good News Translation, which offers a good model translation.

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 .