A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. | Who can find a worthy wife? She is far more precious than pearls. |
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. | Speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves, and defend the rights of the destitute. |
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. | Speak out and pronounce righteous judgments; defend the rights of the wretched and the poor. |
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. | Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. |
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools are those who despise wisdom and instruction. |
Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. | If you would seriously consider my reproof, I would pour out my thoughts to you and make my precepts known to you. |
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. | For the Lord himself is the one who bestows wisdom; from his mouth come forth knowledge and understanding. |
He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. | He reserves his wisdom for the upright and is a shield to those who lead blameless lives. |
For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. | For he guards the paths of justice and keeps watch over the way of his faithful ones. |
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. | Then you will understand equity and justice as well as righteousness—every good path. |
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. | My son, do not forget my teaching, but cherish my commandments in your heart, for they will bring you length of days, more years of life, and an abundance of prosperity. |
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. | Do not let kindness and fidelity leave you; fasten them around your neck and inscribe them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will gain favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. |
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. | Trust wholeheartedly in the Lord rather than relying on your own intelligence. In everything you do, acknowledge him, and he will see that your paths are straight. |
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. | Do not pride yourself on your own wisdom; fear the Lord and turn your back on evil. This will provide healing for your flesh and restore strength to your body. |
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops. |
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. | My son, do not ignore the Lord’s discipline or refuse to accept his rebuke. For the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, just as a father chastises a beloved son. |
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. | Blessed is the person who has found wisdom, the one who has gained understanding. |
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. | Do not withhold kindness from anyone to whom it is due when it is in your power to grant it. |
Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. | Do not envy a violent man or choose to emulate any of his ways. For the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord whose friendship is bestowed only upon the upright. |
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. | Acquire wisdom and gain understanding; never forget or turn aside from my words. |
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. | The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom, and no matter what the cost, acquire understanding. |
Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. | Listen, my son, and take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be multiplied. |
I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. | I have instructed you in the ways of wisdom and led you along the paths of righteousness. |
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart. | My son, concentrate attentively on my words; pay heed to the instructions I pass on to you. Do not let them slip from your mind; keep them forever in your heart. |
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. | Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. |