Proverbs 21:15 New English Translation

¹⁵Doing^[a] justice brings^[b] joy to the righteous
and terror^[c] to those who do evil.

Proverbs 21:15 tn The Qal infinitive construct עֲשׂוֹת (ʿasot) functions as the subject of the sentence.
Proverbs 21:15 tn The term “brings” is supplied in the translation; many English versions supply a simple copula (“is”).
Proverbs 21:15 sn The noun means “terror (NAB, NASB, NIV), destruction (KJV, ASV), ruin (cf. NCV).” Its related verb means “be shattered, dismayed.” The idea of “dismay” (NRSV) or “terror” would make the better choice to contrast with “joy” in the first line, but “ruin” is also possible. Whenever justice prevails, whether in the courts or simply in society, the people who practice iniquity may be shaken into reality by fear (cf. CEV “crooks are terrified”).

New English Translation (NET)