The upright are guarded by their integrity; the treacherous are destroyed by their own duplicity. | Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. |
Riches will be of no avail on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. | Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. |
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With his mouth the godless man seeks to ruin his neighbor, but knowledge enables the righteous to be delivered. | With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous. |
One who gossips reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden. | A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. |
The labors of the wicked man produce little profit, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. | Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. |
A generous person will be enriched; he who refreshes others will also be refreshed. | The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. |
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid. | To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. |
A fool is quick to show his anger, but a prudent man ignores an insult. | A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. |
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. | Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace! |
The Lord abhors lying lips, but he delights in those who are truthful. | The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. |
Authority will be granted to the diligent, but the lazy will be enslaved. | Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. |
Anxiety in the human heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. | Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. |
He who guards his mouth makes his life secure, but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall. | Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. |
A wealthy man pays a ransom to save his life; a poor man never has to worry about such threats. | The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. |
An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |
Wealth hastily acquired will dwindle away, but when amassed little by little, it will increase. | Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. |
Hope deferred sickens the heart, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. |
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but he who mingles with fools will suffer harm. | Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. |
A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness lies incessantly. | An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. |
There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. | There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. | Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! |
A patient man shows good sense, but a quick-tempered man displays the height of folly. | People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. |
Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. | Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. | A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. | Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. |