It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. | It is honorable to avoid strife, but every fool is quarrelsome. |
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. | It is better to have a little and fear the Lord than to possess immense wealth and suffer anguish. |
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Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. | A man is haughty until disaster overtakes him, but humility comes before honors. |
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. | Riches will be of no avail on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. |
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. | Whoever gains wisdom loves his own soul; one who cherishes understanding will prosper. |
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. | The fear of the Lord provides instruction in wisdom, and to be humble is the way to honor. |
Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. | Speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves, and defend the rights of the destitute. |
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid. |
The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. | Authority will be granted to the diligent, but the lazy will be enslaved. |
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem. | The wealth of a rich man is his stronghold; he regards it as a high wall that cannot be scaled. |
Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase. | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops. |
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. |
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. | Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. |
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | When anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayer is detestable. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. | Hope deferred sickens the heart, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. |
A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. | One who gossips reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden. |
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. | Pleasing words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and affording health to the body. |
A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. | A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. |
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished. | The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter, while the simple continue forward and pay the penalty. |
Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. | Acquire wisdom and gain understanding; never forget or turn aside from my words. |
The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. | A generous person will be enriched; he who refreshes others will also be refreshed. |
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. | Where many words are spoken, sin is not absent, but whoever restrains his tongue is prudent. |
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly. | He reserves his wisdom for the upright and is a shield to those who lead blameless lives. |
He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. | A patient man shows good sense, but a quick-tempered man displays the height of folly. |
He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. | Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but he who mingles with fools will suffer harm. |