26 The word “wicked” could be taken as a vocative (cf. , , , “O wicked man”); but since the next line refers to the wicked this is unlikely. It serves better as an adverbial accusative (“like the wicked”).
27 The saying warns that it is futile and self-defeating to mistreat God’s people, for they survive—the wicked do not. The warning is against a deliberate, planned assault on their places of dwelling.
28 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). 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 [], 140).
29 The verb could be translated with an English present tense (“are brought down,” so ) 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.
30 The saying (vv. 17, 18) warns against gloating over the misfortune of one’s enemies. The prohibition is formed with two negated jussives “do not rejoice” and “let not be glad,” the second qualified by “your heart” as the subject, signifying the inner satisfaction of such a defeat.
31 Heb “and [it is] evil in his eyes.”
32 The judgment of God should strike a note of fear in the heart of people (e.g., Lev 19:17–18). His judgment is not to be taken lightly, or personalized as a victory. If that were to happen, then the Lord might take pity on the enemies in their calamity, for he champions the downtrodden and defeated. These are probably personal enemies; the imprecatory psalms and the prophetic oracles present a different set of circumstances for the downfall of God’s enemies—even the book of Proverbs says that brings joy to the community.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;

do no violence to his home;

for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,

but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,

and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,

lest the Lord see it and be displeased,

and turn away his anger from him.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous,

do not plunder their dwelling place;

for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,

but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Do not gloat when your enemy falls;

when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,

or the Lord will see and disapprove

and turn his wrath away from them.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Don’t set an ambush, you wicked one,

at the camp of the righteous man;

don’t destroy his dwelling.

Though a righteous person falls seven times,

he will get up,

but the wicked will stumble into ruin.

Don’t gloat when your enemy falls,

and don’t let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,

or the Lord will see, be displeased,

and turn his wrath away from him.

NLTNew Living Translation

Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly,

and don’t raid the house where the godly live.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;

don’t be happy when they stumble.

For the Lord will be displeased with you

and will turn his anger away from them.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against the home of the righteous;

do not do violence to his dwelling place.

For seven times the righteous will fall, but he will rise,

but the wicked will be overthrown by calamity.

While your enemies are falling, do not rejoice;

when he trips himself, may your heart not be glad

lest Yahweh see and it be evil in his eyes,

and turn his anger away from him.

KJV 1900King James Version

Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;

Spoil not his resting place:

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:

But the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth,

And let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him,

And he turn away his wrath from him.

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