Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. | Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. |
A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. | A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. |
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There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. | There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. | Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. |
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. | A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. |
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. | People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. |
Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. | Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. |
What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. | Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. |
Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. | My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. |
The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. | We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. |
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke. | The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. |
My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. | My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. |
He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. | Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. | Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. |
A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. | A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. |
Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. | Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. |
Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. | Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. |
A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. | Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. |
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. | Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. |
The name of the Lord is a strong 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. |
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. | Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. |
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. | Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. |
To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. |