| It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. | It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. |
| Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. | A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
| To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
| He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor too. |
| He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. | All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. |
| A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. | An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. |
| By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. | The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. |
| Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. | Train a child in the way he should go, and he will not deviate from it, even in old age. |
| The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. | The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender. |
| Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! | Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. |
| Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. | When you fix your gaze upon it, it is gone before you realize it. For it suddenly sprouts wings and flies up to the sky like an eagle. |
| My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself. | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. |
| The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. | The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. |
| So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off. | In much the same manner will wisdom be sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off. |
| Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. |
| Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. | Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your father, and do not run to your brother’s house when troubles befall you; far better is a friend nearby than a brother who is far away. |
| A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished. | The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter, while the simple continue forward and pay the penalty. |
| As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. | As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. |
| As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. | Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. |
| One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | When anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayer is detestable. |
| He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. | No one who conceals his transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and renounces them will obtain mercy. |
| A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. | A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. |
| A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. | A man’s pride will bring him low, but lowly souls will rise to honor. |
| The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. | The fear of others will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is secure. |
| Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. | Every word of God has proved to be true; he is a shield to those who trust in him. |
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