This verse is a single sentence that describes the end of the person who does not value good sense.

“A man who wanders from the way of understanding”: This whole line is the subject of the sentence. “A man” is not restricted to males; most recent English translations say “whoever” or “anyone who.” “Wanders from the way of” is a figurative expression for leaving a style of living; in languages where this picture is not a natural expression, we may say something like “If you stop using” (Contemporary English Version) or “if a person rejects.” “Understanding” renders the same Hebrew term found in 1.3, where it is variously translated as “prudent life” (New International Version), “intelligence” (Revised English Bible), or “wise dealing” (Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version). Other ways of expressing it here are “good sense” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) and “common sense” (Revised English Bible). In some languages it may be more natural to make this line a conditional clause: “If someone strays from. . ..”

“Will rest in the assembly of the dead”: The sense of “will rest” is “will come to rest” (Revised English Bible), “will end up,” or “you will find yourself” (Contemporary English Version). “The dead” are literally “the shadows,” a way of speaking of the shadowy existence of people who have died. “The assembly of the dead” means where the dead people are together, or “the place of the dead.” Some English versions say “in the company of the dead” (New International Version, Revised English Bible); others say simply “in the grave” (Contemporary English Version) or “death” (Good News 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 .