“Do not envy a man of violence”: “Envy” here means to desire what someone else has. It is assumed violent people obtain goods or wealth that may lead others to be envious of their ill-gotten fortune. Psa 37 gives reasons for not being envious of wrongdoers. In Psa 18.48 the psalmist gives thanks that God has delivered him from “men of violence.” “Violence” refers not only to cruel behavior but to any kind of unlawful, high-handed, or dishonest dealings.

“Do not choose any of his ways”: This is well expressed by Contemporary English Version as “or follow their example.” We may also say, for example, “or do the things they do” or “or act the way they do.”

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 .