To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
One who gossips reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden. | A gossip goes about telling secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence. |
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The whispers of a gossiper are tasty morsels that corrode one’s inner being. | The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. |
Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. |
Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. | Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. |
Acquire wisdom and gain understanding; never forget or turn aside from my words. | Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. |
Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. | Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. |
A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. | A fool despises a parent's instruction, but the one who heeds admonition is prudent. |
Observe your father’s command, my son, and do not reject your mother’s teaching. | My child, keep your father's commandment, and do not forsake your mother's teaching. |
Fine words are not becoming to a fool, and much less are false words to a noble. | Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler. |
A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. | A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back. |
Blessed is the person who has found wisdom, the one who has gained understanding. | Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding. |
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son gives grief to his mother. | A wise child makes a glad father, but a foolish child is a mother's grief. |
The blessing of the Lord is what brings wealth, and our toil adds nothing to it. | The blessing of the Lord makes 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 a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones. |
A man is haughty until disaster overtakes him, but humility comes before honors. | Before destruction one's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor. |
Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. | In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
The righteous is remembered with blessings, but the name of the wicked fades away. | The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. |
Whoever observes the commandments will live, but the one who scorns them will die. | Those who keep the commandment will live; those who are heedless of their ways will die. |
A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. | What is desirable in a person is loyalty, and it is better to be poor than a liar. |
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. | Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. |
A generous person will be enriched; he who refreshes others will also be refreshed. | A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water. |
Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. | Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. |
It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. | It is a snare for one to say rashly, “It is holy,” and begin to reflect only after making a vow. |
The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright, but destruction for evildoers. | The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright, but destruction for evildoers. |