The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. | The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. |
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. | Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. |
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He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. | Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. |
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke. | The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat. |
By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. | By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. |
Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. | Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. |
He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. | Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. |
A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. | A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. |
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. | There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. |
In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. | In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. |
He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. | Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. |
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. |
A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. | A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. |
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. | Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. |
Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. | Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. |
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! | To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! |
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. | The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. |
Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. | Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. |
Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. | Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. |
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. | The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. |
How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. | How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. |
He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. | Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. |