A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. | A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. |
It is better to have a little and fear the Lord than to possess immense wealth and suffer anguish. | Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. |
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Plans miscarry when counsel is lacking, but they succeed when there are many counselors. | Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. |
A man is joyful when he utters apt answers, and even more satisfying is a word in season. | Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! |
The fear of the Lord provides instruction in wisdom, and to be humble is the way to honor. | The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. |
Entrust everything that you do to the Lord, and your plans will turn out to be successful. | Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. |
It is better to have little and be righteous than to acquire great riches with injustice. | Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. |
A man may plan his own course, but the Lord makes his steps secure. | A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. |
It is better to acquire wisdom rather than gold, and more desirable to acquire understanding rather than silver. | How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. |
The one who pays heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. | He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. |
Pleasing words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and affording health to the body. | Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. |
A perverse man sows strife, and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships. | A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. |
It is better to be a patient man rather than a warrior, one who controls his temper rather than one who captures a city. | One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. |
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. | Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents. |
Fine words are not becoming to a fool, and much less are false words to a noble. | Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince. |
One who forgives a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who divulges it separates good friends. | He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends. |
A true friend is one at all times, and a brother is born to render help in time of need. | A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. |
A cheerful heart is excellent medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. | A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. |
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; if he closes his lips, he is regarded as intelligent. | Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. |
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only delights in expressing his own opinions. | A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. |
The lips of a fool cause strife, and his mouth provokes a flogging. | A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. |
The whispers of a gossiper are tasty morsels that corrode one’s inner being. | The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. |
The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the upright man runs to it and finds refuge. | Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. |
The wealth of a rich man is his stronghold; he regards it as a high wall that cannot be scaled. | The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. |
A man is haughty until disaster overtakes him, but humility comes before honors. | Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. |