Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin (is) a reproach to any people - Hebrew, 'to peoples,' plural; whereas "a nation" is singular, implying the paucity of the nations observing righteousness, and the multitude of those that nationally sin. The Hebrew for "reproach" (chesed) means also mercy. Hence, Gejer translates, 'Mercy is an expiatory sacrifice for sin;' "sin" being sometimes used for sin offering (Exodus 29:14; Hosea 4:8). Not that mercy puts away sin before God, but before men, who are by mercy reconciled to those who had before been unmerciful to them. But the Chaldaic ('sin is the reproach of a people') supports the English version. So in the main Vulgate ('sin makes people miserable'). The Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic ('sins diminish peoples'). In Leviticus 20:17, chesed is used for "shameful wickedness."