A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great. | Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! |
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. | The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
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He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. | The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. |
Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. | There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper. | To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. |
House and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. | Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. |
Those who keep the commandment will live; those who are heedless of their ways will die. | Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. |
The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. | You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. |
What is desirable in a person is loyalty, and it is better to be poor than a liar. | Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. |
It is honorable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. | Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. |
It is a snare for one to say rashly, “It is holy,” and begin to reflect only after making a vow. | Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. |
All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart. | People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. |
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. |
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
All day long the wicked covet, but the righteous give and do not hold back. | Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. | Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. |
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. | True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. |
Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. | Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. |
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. | Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. |
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. | Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. |
When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven. | In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. |
My child, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. | My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! |
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who begets a wise son will be glad in him. | The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. |
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. | In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. |
Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control. | A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. |