98 Heb “the fear of the Lord.” The term יְהוָה (yéhvah, “the Lord”) functions as an objective genitive.
99 Heb “days” (so , ).
100 Heb “years.” The term “years” functions as a synecdoche of part (= years) for the whole (= lifespan).
101 This general saying has to be qualified with the problem of the righteous suffering and dying young, a problem that perplexed the sages of the entire ancient world. But this is the general principle: The righteous live longer because their life is the natural one and because God blesses them.
102 This proverb contrasts the hopes of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous will see their hopes fulfilled. The saying is concerned with God’s justice. The words תּוֹחֶלֶת (tokhelet, from יָחַל, yakhal) and תִּקְוַת (tiqvat, from קָוָה, qavah) are synonyms, both emphasizing eager expectations, longings, waiting in hope.
103 Heb “will perish”; “comes to nought.”
104 The “way of the Lord” is an idiom for God’s providential administration of life; it is what the Lord does (“way” being a hypocatastasis).
105 The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
106 Heb “for the one with integrity” (לַתֹּם, latom).
107 Or “ruin” (so ).
108 Heb “those who practice iniquity.”
109 This proverb concerns the enjoyment of covenant blessings—dwelling in the land of Israel. It is promised to the righteous for an eternal inheritance, and so the wicked cannot expect to settle there—they will be exiled.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

The fear of the Lord prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be short.

The hope of the righteous brings joy,

but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,

but destruction to evildoers.

The righteous will never be removed,

but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

The fear of the Lord adds length to life,

but the years of the wicked are cut short.

The prospect of the righteous is joy,

but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,

but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

The righteous will never be uprooted,

but the wicked will not remain in the land.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

The fear of the Lord prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked are cut short.

The hope of the righteous is joy,

but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable,

but destruction awaits evildoers.

The righteous will never be shaken,

but the wicked will not remain on the earth.

NLTNew Living Translation

Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life,

but the years of the wicked are cut short.

The hopes of the godly result in happiness,

but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.

The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity,

but it destroys the wicked.

The godly will never be disturbed,

but the wicked will be removed from the land.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

The fear of Yahweh adds life,

but the years of the wicked are shortened.

The hope of the righteous is gladness,

but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.

A stronghold for the upright is the way of Yahweh,

but ruin belongs to evildoers.

The righteous one is forever; he will not be removed.

But the wicked will not remain in the land.

KJV 1900King James Version

The fear of the Lord prolongeth days:

But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness:

But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

The way of the Lord is strength to the upright:

But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

The righteous shall never be removed:

But the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

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