A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. | A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great. |
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. | Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. |
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He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. | He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. |
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. |
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. | To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper. |
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. | House and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. |
Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. | Those who keep the commandment will live; those who are heedless of their ways will die. |
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. | The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. |
What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. | What is desirable in a person is loyalty, and it is better to be poor than a liar. |
It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. | It is honorable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. |
It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. | It is a snare for one to say rashly, “It is holy,” and begin to reflect only after making a vow. |
A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. | All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor. |
All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. | All day long the wicked covet, but the righteous give and do not hold back. |
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. | A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. |
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. | The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. |
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. | Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. |
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. | The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. |
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. | Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. |
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. | When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven. |
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed. | My child, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. |
The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. | The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who begets a wise son will be glad in him. |
Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. | Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, you will find a future, and your hope will not be cut off. |
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. | Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control. |