A gift opens doors for the giver and wins him access to the powerful. | A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. |
The tongue has the power over life and death; those who cherish it will enjoy its fruits. | Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. |
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One who finds a wife finds happiness and receives favor from the Lord. | He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. |
Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. | A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
Whoever gains wisdom loves his own soul; one who cherishes understanding will prosper. | Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good. |
A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is a gift from the Lord. | House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. |
Whoever observes the commandments will live, but the one who scorns them will die. | Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die. |
Many are the plans in a human mind, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will prevail. | Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. |
A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. | What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. |
It is honorable to avoid strife, but every fool is quarrelsome. | It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. |
It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. | It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows. |
A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. | Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 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 kindness will find life and honor too. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. | All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. |
An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. | A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. |
The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. | The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. |
Train a child in the way he should go, and he will not deviate from it, even in old age. | Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. |
The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender. | The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. |
Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. | Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. |
When you fix your gaze upon it, it is gone before you realize it. For it suddenly sprouts wings and flies up to the sky like an eagle. | When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. |
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. | My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. |
The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. | The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. |
In much the same manner will wisdom be sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off. | Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. |
Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. | A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. |