The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the treacherous will destroy them. | Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. |
Riches do not benefit on the day of wrath, But righteousness rescues 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 person destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be rescued. | With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous. |
One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, But one who is trustworthy conceals a matter. | A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. |
A wicked person earns deceptive wages, But one who sows righteousness gets a true reward. | Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. |
A generous person will be prosperous, And one who gives others plenty of water will himself be given plenty. | The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. |
One who loves discipline loves knowledge, But one who hates rebuke is stupid. | To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. |
A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent person conceals dishonor. | A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. |
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of 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 deal 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, But the lazy hand will be put to forced labor. | Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. |
Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. | Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. |
One who guards his mouth protects his life; One 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 person’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke. | The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. |
Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |
Wealth obtained from nothing dwindles, But one who gathers by labor increases it. | Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. |
One who walks with wise people will be wise, But a companion of fools will suffer harm. | Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. |
A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness declares lies. | An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. |
There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death. | There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. | Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! |
One who is slow to anger has great understanding; But one who is quick-tempered exalts foolishness. | People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people. | Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. |
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit. | Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. |