A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. | A gift opens doors for the giver and wins him access to the powerful. |
As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. | Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. |
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A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. | A true friend is one at all times, and a brother is born to render help in time of need. |
Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. | Ensure that the path you tread is level, and then your ways will be sure. |
He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. | For he guards the paths of justice and keeps watch over the way of his faithful ones. |
A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. | The lips of a fool cause strife, and his mouth provokes a flogging. |
Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! | Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. |
By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. | The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. | Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. |
Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. | Entrust everything that you do to the Lord, and your plans will turn out to be successful. |
A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. | A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness lies incessantly. |
My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself. | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. |
In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. | Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. |
The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. | A wise man will heed commandments, but a babbling fool will come to grief. |
I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. | I have instructed you in the ways of wisdom and led you along the paths of righteousness. |
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding. | Blessed is the person who has found wisdom, the one who has gained understanding. |
The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. | The blessing of the Lord is what brings wealth, and our toil adds nothing to it. |
By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. | An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. |
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. | As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. |
The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. | The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender. |
A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. | A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only delights in expressing his own opinions. |
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. | Turn away from the mouth that deceives and keep your distance from lips that mislead. |
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord. | One who finds a wife finds happiness and receives favor from the Lord. |
For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. | For the Lord himself is the one who bestows wisdom; from his mouth come forth knowledge and understanding. |
Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. | It is better to have little and be righteous than to acquire great riches with injustice. |