Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. | Turn away from the mouth that deceives and keep your distance from lips that mislead. |
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. | Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze on what lies before you. |
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Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. | Ensure that the path you tread is level, and then your ways will be sure. |
Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. | Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. |
My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. | Observe your father’s command, my son, and do not reject your mother’s teaching. |
Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? | Or can a man walk on red-hot coals without scorching his feet? |
All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. | The fear of the Lord implies hatred of evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and perverse speech. |
For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. | For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. |
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. |
A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son gives grief to his mother. |
Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. | Treasures obtained by wicked means profit nothing, but a righteous life brings delivery from death. |
The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. | Blessings are showered on the head of the righteous, but sorrow will cover the face of the wicked. |
We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. | The righteous is remembered with blessings, but the name of the wicked fades away. |
The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces. | A wise man will heed commandments, but a babbling fool will come to grief. |
People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. | Anyone who leads an honorable life walks in safety, but whoever pursues wicked ways will be found out. |
Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. | Hatred stirs up strife, but love overlooks all offenses. |
People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. | Whoever heeds admonition is on the path to life, but anyone who rejects correction goes astray. |
Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. | Lying lips conceal hatred, and anyone who slanders another is a fool. |
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. | Where many words are spoken, sin is not absent, but whoever restrains his tongue is prudent. |
The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. | The tongue of the just man is like pure silver; the heart of the wicked is without worth. |
The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. | The blessing of the Lord is what brings wealth, and our toil adds nothing to it. |
The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. | The hope of the righteous brings them joy, but the expectations of the wicked are frustrated. |
The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. | The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright, but destruction for evildoers. |
The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. | The lips of the righteous utter words of kindness, but the mouth of the wicked knows only how to pervert. |
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. | When pride is nurtured, disgrace soon follows, but wisdom is the hallmark of the humble. |