The tongue of the just man is like pure silver; the heart of the wicked is without worth. | The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth. |
I refrained from eating any choice food, abstaining from consuming meat or wine, and I did not anoint myself until those three weeks had passed. | I ate no pleasant food. No meat or wine came into my mouth. I didn’t anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled. |
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By his own choice he gave us birth through the way of truth so that we may be a kind of firstfruits of all his creation. | Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. |
The whispers of a gossiper are tasty morsels that corrode one’s inner being. | The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. |
Then Nehemiah added: “You now may go. Eat rich food and drink what is sweet. Moreover, send some of these to those for whom nothing has been prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord. Furthermore, do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” | Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.” |