Proverbs 21:8

The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

The way of man (is) froward and strange - rather, 'The way of a man (that is) froward (is) also strange.' The Hebrew, ish, expresses a man once good: "froward" implies his perversity by having left the good way. 'Is also strange' is the predicate. He who is perverted from goodness thereby becomes also alien to God and to the congregation of "the pure."

But (as for) the pure, his work (is) right. So also marks the predicate in Proverbs 28:16. Thus the difficulty is avoided of saying, "The way of man ( 'iysh (H376), a good man) is froward." Moreover, the balance of the parallel clauses is better. The way of man that is perverted, is also strange to, or alienated from, God; but as for the pure, i:e., the sincere, his work is right, and so his way is one of near communion with God (Matthew 5:8).