Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance. | As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. |
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies. | A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
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Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. | Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. |
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. | A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. |
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. | A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. |
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom. | When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. |
A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor. | Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. |
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. | The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. |
For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. | For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. |
A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies. | An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. |
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine. | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed. |
Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. | Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. |
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. | A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. |
Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. | Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. |
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. | He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. |
He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool. | Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. |
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. | The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. |
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice. | Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. |
Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. | Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. |
The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall. | The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. |
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats. | A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. |
Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. |
The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life. | Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. |