The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the treacherous will destroy them. | The upright are guarded by their integrity; the treacherous are destroyed by their own duplicity. |
Riches do not benefit on the day of wrath, But righteousness rescues from death. | Riches will be of no avail on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. |
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With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be rescued. | With his mouth the godless man seeks to ruin his neighbor, but knowledge enables the righteous to be delivered. |
One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, But one who is trustworthy conceals a matter. | One who gossips reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden. |
A wicked person earns deceptive wages, But one who sows righteousness gets a true reward. | The labors of the wicked man produce little profit, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. |
A generous person will be prosperous, And one who gives others plenty of water will himself be given plenty. | A generous person will be enriched; he who refreshes others will also be refreshed. |
One who loves discipline loves knowledge, But one who hates rebuke is stupid. | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid. |
A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent person conceals dishonor. | A fool is quick to show his anger, but a prudent man ignores an insult. |
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. | Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. |
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal faithfully are His delight. | The Lord abhors lying lips, but he delights in those who are truthful. |
The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy hand will be put to forced labor. | Authority will be granted to the diligent, but the lazy will be enslaved. |
Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. | Anxiety in the human heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. |
One who guards his mouth protects his life; One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. | He who guards his mouth makes his life secure, but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall. |
The ransom of a person’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke. | A wealthy man pays a ransom to save his life; a poor man never has to worry about such threats. |
Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel. | An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. |
Wealth obtained from nothing dwindles, But one who gathers by labor increases it. | Wealth hastily acquired will dwindle away, but when amassed little by little, it will increase. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred sickens the heart, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. |
One who walks with wise people will be wise, But a companion of fools will suffer harm. | Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but he who mingles with fools will suffer harm. |
A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness declares lies. | A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness lies incessantly. |
There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death. | There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. |
In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. | Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. |
One who is slow to anger has great understanding; But one who is quick-tempered exalts foolishness. | A patient man shows good sense, but a quick-tempered man displays the height of folly. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people. | Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. |
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. |
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. |