Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. | Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. |
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. | A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. |
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. | Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. |
Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents. | Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. |
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince. | Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. |
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends. | Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. |
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. | A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. |
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. | A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. |
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. | Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. |
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. | Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. |
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. | Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. |
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. | Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. |
Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. |
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. | The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. |
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. | Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. | Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! |
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. | The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. | The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. |
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good. | To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. |
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh. | Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. |
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die. | Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. |
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail. | You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. |
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. | Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. |
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. | Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. |
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