Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. | Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. |
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. | The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. |
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My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. | My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. |
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. | Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. |
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. | Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. |
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. | We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. |
For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. | He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. |
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. | A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. |
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. | Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. |
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. | Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. |
If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. | God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. |
A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. | Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. |
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. |
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. | To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. |
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. | Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. |
It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. | Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. |
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. | Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. |
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. | A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. |
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. | Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. |
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. | Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. |
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. | Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. |
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! | Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. |
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. | The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. |
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |