| It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. | Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. |
| Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. | People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. |
| To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. |
| He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
| He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. | Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
| A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. | Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. |
| By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. | True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. |
| Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. | Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. |
| The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. | Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. |
| Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! | Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. |
| Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. | In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. |
| My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself. | My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! |
| The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. | The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. |
| 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 the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. |
| Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. |
| 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. | Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away. |
| A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished. | A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. |
| As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. | As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. |
| As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. | As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. |
| One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. |
| He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. | People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. |
| A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. | Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. |
| A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. | Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. |
| The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. | Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. |
| Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. | Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. |
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