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 great men. |
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; those who love it will eat its fruit. |
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One who finds a wife finds happiness and receives favor from the Lord. | Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. |
Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. | A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
Whoever gains wisdom loves his own soul; one who cherishes understanding will prosper. | He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good. |
A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is a gift from the Lord. | House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh. |
Whoever observes the commandments will live, but the one who scorns them will die. | He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die. |
Many are the plans in a human mind, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will prevail. | There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail. |
A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. | That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. 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 a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his 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 Yahweh weighs the hearts. |
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. |
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor too. | He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor. |
All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. | There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold. |
An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. | A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. |
The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. | The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, 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, and 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 rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. |
Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. | Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. |
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. | Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky. |
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine. |
The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. | The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights 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. | So you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off. |
Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. | Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint. |