Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. | A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. |
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The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. | The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it. |
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. | Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. |
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. | A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. |
Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. | Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. |
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. |
Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. | Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. |
A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. |
We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. | The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot. |
Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. | Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. |
The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces. | The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. |
My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. | My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. |
The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. | He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. |
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. | Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. |
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. | A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. |
Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. | Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. |
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. | A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. |
The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. | A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. |
Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. | Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! |
The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. | The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. |
Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. | Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. |
Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. | A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. |
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. | Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. |
People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. | Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. |