The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. | Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. |
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. | Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. |
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With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. | With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous. |
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. | A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. |
The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. | Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. |
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. | The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. |
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. | To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. |
The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. | A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. |
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. | Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace! |
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. | The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. |
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. | Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. |
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. | Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. |
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. | Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. |
The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat. | The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. |
By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. | Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. |
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. | Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. |
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. | An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. |
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. | There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. | Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! |
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. | People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. | Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. |
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. |