| Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. | Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze on what lies before you. |
| A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. | A perverse man sows strife, and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships. |
| There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. | There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. |
| He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor too. |
| Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. | Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. |
| A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. | A cheerful heart is excellent medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. |
| Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. | A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
| Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. | Lying lips conceal hatred, and anyone who slanders another is a fool. |
| What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. | A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. |
| Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. | Listen, my son, and take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be multiplied. |
| The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. | The righteous is remembered with blessings, but the name of the wicked fades away. |
| The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke. | A wealthy man pays a ransom to save his life; a poor man never has to worry about such threats. |
| My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. | Observe your father’s command, my son, and do not reject your mother’s teaching. |
| He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. | All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. |
| Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. | Speak out and pronounce righteous judgments; defend the rights of the wretched and the poor. |
| A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son gives grief to his mother. |
| Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. | Fine words are not becoming to a fool, and much less are false words to a noble. |
| Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. | Then you will understand equity and justice as well as righteousness—every good path. |
| A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. | A man’s pride will bring him low, but lowly souls will rise to honor. |
| Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. | Every word of God has proved to be true; he is a shield to those who trust in him. |
| The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the upright man runs to it and finds refuge. |
| Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. | Treasures obtained by wicked means profit nothing, but a righteous life brings delivery from death. |
| Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. | Anxiety in the human heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. |
| To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
| A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. |
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