| To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. |
| One who gossips reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden. | A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. |
| The whispers of a gossiper are tasty morsels that corrode one’s inner being. | Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. |
| Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. | Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
| Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. | There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
| Acquire wisdom and gain understanding; never forget or turn aside from my words. | Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. |
| Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. | Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. |
| A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. | Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. |
| Observe your father’s command, my son, and do not reject your mother’s teaching. | My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. |
| Fine words are not becoming to a fool, and much less are false words to a noble. | Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. |
| A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. | Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. |
| Blessed is the person who has found wisdom, the one who has gained understanding. | Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. |
| A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son gives grief to his mother. | A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. |
| The blessing of the Lord is what brings wealth, and our toil adds nothing to it. | The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. |
| A cheerful heart is excellent medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. | A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. |
| A man is haughty until disaster overtakes him, but humility comes before honors. | Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
| Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. | Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! |
| The righteous is remembered with blessings, but the name of the wicked fades away. | We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. |
| Whoever observes the commandments will live, but the one who scorns them will die. | Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. |
| A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. | Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. |
| Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. | Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. |
| A generous person will be enriched; he who refreshes others will also be refreshed. | The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. |
| Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. | Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. |
| It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. | Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. |
| The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright, but destruction for evildoers. | The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. |
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