Proverbs 21:16

The one who wanders ¹  from the way of wisdom ²  will end up ³  in the company of the departed. ⁴ 

A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.

A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.

Whoever wanders off the straight and narrow ends up in a congregation of ghosts.

The wanderer from the way of knowledge will have his resting-place among the shades.

Whoever wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

The one who wanders ¹  from the way of wisdom ²  will end up ³  in the company of the departed. ⁴ 

¹ tn The text uses “man” as the subject and the active participle תּוֹעֶה (to’eh) as the predicate. The image of “wandering off the path” signifies leaving a life of knowledge, prudence, and discipline.

² tn Or “prudence”; KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV “understanding”; NLT “common sense.”

³ tn Heb “will remain” or “will rest.” The Hebrew word נוּחַ (nuakh) does not here carry any of the connotations of comforting repose in death that the righteous enjoy; it simply means “to remain; to reside; to dwell.” The choice of this verb might have an ironic twist to it, reminding the wicked what might have been.

⁴ sn The departed are the Shades (the Rephaim). The literal expression “will rest among the Shades” means “will be numbered among the dead.” So once again physical death is presented as the punishment for folly.