Translation
But [for] whoever is joined to all the living there is hope, for a live dog is better than a dead lion.
Go to footnote numberParaphrase
But everyone who is still among the living has hope; even the worst sinner who is still alive is better than a dead hero because the sinner still has hope; he can still make changes in his life.
Footnotes
1: “a live dog / dead lion”
A dog was considered possibly the most vile and unclean of all animals, while the lion represented strength and leadership. The point here is that even those living in difficult situations or living in sin have hope that things may change in the future. As long as there is life there is reason to not give up the good fight. It is also a statement about the finality of death. While one is living the struggle is never over so keep fighting. But once it’s over, it’s over, and there will be no more fighting at all.