| A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. | A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great. |
| Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. | Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. |
| He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord. | He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. |
| A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. |
| He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. | To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper. |
| Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord. | House and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. |
| He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die. | Those who keep the commandment will live; those who are heedless of their ways will die. |
| There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand. | The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. |
| What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. | What is desirable in a person is loyalty, and it is better to be poor than a liar. |
| It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. | It is honorable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. |
| It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. | It is a snare for one to say rashly, “It is holy,” and begin to reflect only after making a vow. |
| Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. | All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
| To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
| He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor. |
| He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. | All day long the wicked covet, but the righteous give and do not hold back. |
| A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. | A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. |
| By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. | The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. |
| Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. | Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. |
| The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. | The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. |
| Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! | Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. |
| Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. | When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven. |
| My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself. | My child, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. |
| The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. | The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who begets a wise son will be glad in him. |
| So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off. | Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, you will find a future, and your hope will not be cut off. |
| Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control. |
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