The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. | The upright are guarded by their integrity; the treacherous are destroyed by their own duplicity. |
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. | Riches will be of no avail on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. |
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With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. | With his mouth the godless man seeks to ruin his neighbor, but knowledge enables the righteous to be delivered. |
A gossip goes about telling secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence. | One who gossips reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden. |
The wicked earn no real gain, but those who sow righteousness get a true reward. | The labors of the wicked man produce little profit, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. |
A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water. | A generous person will be enriched; he who refreshes others will also be refreshed. |
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid. | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid. |
Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult. | A fool is quick to show his anger, but a prudent man ignores an insult. |
Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. | Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. |
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. | The Lord abhors lying lips, but he delights in those who are truthful. |
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor. | Authority will be granted to the diligent, but the lazy will be enslaved. |
Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up. | Anxiety in the human heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. |
Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin. | He who guards his mouth makes his life secure, but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall. |
Wealth is a ransom for a person's life, but the poor get no threats. | A wealthy man pays a ransom to save his life; a poor man never has to worry about such threats. |
By insolence the heedless make strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice. | An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. |
Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but those who gather little by little will increase it. | Wealth hastily acquired will dwindle away, but when amassed little by little, it will increase. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred sickens the heart, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. |
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm. | Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but he who mingles with fools will suffer harm. |
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. | A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness lies incessantly. |
There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. | There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. |
In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. | Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. |
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly. | A patient man shows good sense, but a quick-tempered man displays the height of folly. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. | Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. |
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. |
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. |