| It is a trap for a person to say carelessly, “It is holy!” And after the vows to make inquiry. | It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. |
| Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord examines the hearts. | A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
| To do righteousness and justice Is preferred by the Lord more than sacrifice. | To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
| One who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor too. |
| All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back. | All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. |
| A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; Favor is better than silver and gold. | An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. |
| The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor, and life. | The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. |
| Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he grows older he will not abandon it. | Train a child in the way he should go, and he will not deviate from it, even in old age. |
| The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave. | The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender. |
| Do not weary yourself to gain wealth; Stop dwelling on it. | Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. |
| When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. | When you fix your gaze upon it, it is gone before you realize it. For it suddenly sprouts wings and flies up to the sky like an eagle. |
| My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad. | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. |
| The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. | The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. |
| Know that wisdom is the same for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off. | In much the same manner will wisdom be sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off. |
| Like a city that is broken into and without walls So is a person who has no self-control over his spirit. | Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. |
| Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend, And do not go to your brother’s house on the day of your disaster; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away. | Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your father, and do not run to your brother’s house when troubles befall you; far better is a friend nearby than a brother who is far away. |
| A prudent person sees evil and hides himself; But the naive proceed, and pay the penalty. | The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter, while the simple continue forward and pay the penalty. |
| As iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another. | As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. |
| As in water a face reflects the face, So the heart of a person reflects the person. | Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. |
| One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | When anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayer is detestable. |
| One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, But one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion. | No one who conceals his transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and renounces them will obtain mercy. |
| A fool always loses his temper, But a wise person holds it back. | A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. |
| A person’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor. | A man’s pride will bring him low, but lowly souls will rise to honor. |
| The fear of man brings a snare, But one who trusts in the Lord will be protected. | The fear of others will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is secure. |
| Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. | Every word of God has proved to be true; he is a shield to those who trust in him. |
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