| A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. | A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. |
| Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. | Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. |
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| Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. | Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. |
| A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! | A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! |
| The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. | Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. |
| Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. | Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. |
| Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. | Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. |
| A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. | In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. |
| How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. | How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! |
| He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. | Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. |
| Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. | Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. |
| A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. | A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. |
| He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. | Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. |
| Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. | Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. |
| Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. | Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! |
| He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. | Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. |
| A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. | A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. |
| A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. | A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. |
| Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. | Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. |
| A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. | Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. |
| A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. | The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. |
| The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. | The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. |
| The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. |
| The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem. | The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. |
| Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. | Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. |
