| It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. | Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. |
| A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. | People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. |
| To do what is right and just 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 too. | Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
| All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. | Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
| An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. | Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. |
| The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. | True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. |
| Train a child in the way he should go, and he will not deviate from it, even in old age. | Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. |
| The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes 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 in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. | Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. |
| 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. | In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. |
| My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. | My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! |
| The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. | The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. |
| 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. | 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 that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. | A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. |
| 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. | Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away. |
| The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter, while the simple continue forward and pay the penalty. | A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. |
| As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. | As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. |
| Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. | As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. |
| When anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayer is detestable. | God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. |
| No one who conceals his transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and renounces them will obtain mercy. | People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. |
| A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. | Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. |
| A man’s pride will bring him low, but lowly souls will rise to honor. | Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. |
| The fear of others will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is secure. | Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. |
| Every word of God has proved to be true; he is a shield to those who trust in him. | Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. |
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