Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. | Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. |
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. | Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
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I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. | I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. |
Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil. | Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. |
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. | Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. |
That he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his saints. | For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. |
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail. | Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. |
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts. | A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. | Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. |
For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. | For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. |
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy. | Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. |
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. | Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. |
Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase. | Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. |
Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. | Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. |
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. | Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. |
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. | Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. |
A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control. | Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. |
The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. | The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot. |
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. | There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. |
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. | Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. |
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. |
A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. |
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. | Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. |
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. | To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. | Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. |