Proverbs 24:16

Although ¹  a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again, but the wicked will be brought down ²  by calamity.

1Sa 26:10; 1Sa 31:4; Es 7:10; Job 5:19; Ps 7:16; Ps 34:19; Ps 37:24; Ps 52:5; Pr 13:17; Pr 28:14-18; Am 5:2; Am 8:14; Mic 7:8-10; Ac 12:23; 2Co 1:8-10; 2Co 4:8-12; 2Co 11:23-27; 1Th 5:3; Re 18:20,21

¹ tn The clause beginning with כִּי (ki) could be interpreted as causal or conditional; but in view of the significance of the next clause it seems better to take it as a concessive clause (“although”). Its verb then receives a modal nuance of possibility. The apodosis is then “and he rises up,” which could be a participle or a perfect tense; although he may fall, he gets up (or, will get up).

sn The righteous may suffer adversity or misfortune any number of times – seven times here – but they will “rise” for virtue triumphs over evil in the end (R. N. Whybray, Proverbs [CBC], 140).

² tn The verb could be translated with an English present tense (“are brought down,” so NIV) to express what happens to the wicked in this life; but since the saying warns against being like the wicked, their destruction is more likely directed to the future.