Here is [Ven. Sujato's translation](https://suttacentral.net/dhp179-196/en/sujato):

> Not to do any evil;  
_Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṁ,_  
to embrace **the good**;  
_**kusalas**sa upasampadā;_ 

The Pali word 'kusala' includes the word '[kusa](https://suttacentral.net/define/kusa?lang=en)', which is a type of grass.

Importantly, kusa grass is a type of grass that can cut the hand. The Dhammapada says:

> When kusa grass is wrongly grasped
> 
> Kuso yathā duggahito,
> 
> it only cuts the hand.
> 
> hatthamevānukantati;
> 
> So too, the ascetic life, when wrongly taken,
> 
> Sāmaññaṁ dupparāmaṭṭhaṁ,
> 
> drags you to hell.
> 
> nirayāyupakaḍḍhati.
>
>[Dhp 311](https://suttacentral.net/dhp306-319/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=linebyline&reference=none&notes=none&highlight=true&script=latin)

Therefore, contrary to what appears to be Sujato's antithetical translation of "embrace", the relevant Pali word "upasampadā" appears to mean "perfect" or "attain skill". It appears to mean to cultivate "the grass" or "the good" so the intention to do good does not lead to one's own harm.