“The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord“: This line replaces “sacrifice” with “way” but otherwise is the same as the first line of verse 8. “The way of the wicked” refers, as in 4.19, to the life, conduct, way of behaving, or lifestyle of wicked people.

“But he loves him who pursues righteousness”: The subject “he” refers to “the Lord” in the previous line. “Loves” contrasts with “abomination”. “Him” is rendered “the one” by New Revised Standard Version. Note Good News Translation “those who.” “Pursues righteousness” is parallel in sense to “pursues evil” in 11.19 and means “those who do what is right,” or, as Bible en français courant says, “who practice justice.”

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 .