“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord“: “A little” contrasts with “great treasure” in the second line and so refers to having little in the way of worldly goods, having few possessions. “Fear of the Lord” is as in 1.7. This line may be translated, for example, “It is better to respect the Lord and be poor” or “It is better to own few goods while honoring the Lord.”

“Than great treasure and trouble with it”: “Treasure” refers to “wealth,” “possessions,” “valuable goods.” “Trouble” translates a word that suggests great confusion, turmoil, or panic. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “It is worth more to be poor and to honor the Lord than to be rich and live in anguish.” Bible en français courant has “It is better to be poor and in submission to the Lord than rich and dominated by worry.” In some languages this kind of statement is expressed, for example, “The person who is rich and full of trouble suffers; but the person who honors the Lord and is poor is better than that one.”

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 .