Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. | Trust wholeheartedly in the Lord rather than relying on your own intelligence. In everything you do, acknowledge him, and he will see that your paths are straight. |
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. | My son, do not forget my teaching, but cherish my commandments in your heart, for they will bring you length of days, more years of life, and an abundance of prosperity. |
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Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. | Do not let kindness and fidelity leave you; fasten them around your neck and inscribe them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will gain favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. |
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. | Do not pride yourself on your own wisdom; fear the Lord and turn your back on evil. This will provide healing for your flesh and restore strength to your body. |
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce. | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops. |
My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. | My son, do not ignore the Lord’s discipline or refuse to accept his rebuke. For the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, just as a father chastises a beloved son. |
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding. | Blessed is the person who has found wisdom, the one who has gained understanding. |
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. | Do not withhold kindness from anyone to whom it is due when it is in your power to grant it. |
Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. | Do not envy a violent man or choose to emulate any of his ways. For the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord whose friendship is bestowed only upon the upright. |
Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. | Acquire wisdom and gain understanding; never forget or turn aside from my words. |
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. | The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom, and no matter what the cost, acquire understanding. |
Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. | Listen, my son, and take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be multiplied. |
I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. | I have instructed you in the ways of wisdom and led you along the paths of righteousness. |
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. | My son, concentrate attentively on my words; pay heed to the instructions I pass on to you. Do not let them slip from your mind; keep them forever in your heart. |
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. | Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. |
Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. | Turn away from the mouth that deceives and keep your distance from lips that mislead. |
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. | Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze on what lies before you. |
Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. | Ensure that the path you tread is level, and then your ways will be sure. |
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. | Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. |
My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. | Observe your father’s command, my son, and do not reject your mother’s teaching. |
Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? | Or can a man walk on red-hot coals without scorching his feet? |
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. | The fear of the Lord implies hatred of evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and perverse speech. |
For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. | For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. |
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. |
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son gives grief to his mother. |