It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. | It is a trap for a person to say carelessly, “It is holy!” And after the vows to make inquiry. |
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. | Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord examines the hearts. |
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To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do righteousness and justice Is preferred by the Lord more than sacrifice. |
He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | One who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor. |
He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. | All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back. |
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. | A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; Favor is better than silver and gold. |
By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. | The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor, and life. |
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. | Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he grows older he will not abandon it. |
The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. | The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave. |
Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! | Do not weary yourself to gain wealth; Stop dwelling on it. |
Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. | When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. |
My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself. | My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad. |
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. | The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. |
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off. | 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. |
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | Like a city that is broken into and without walls So is a person who has no self-control over his spirit. |
Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. | 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. |
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished. | A prudent person sees evil and hides himself; But the naive proceed, and pay the penalty. |
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. | As iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another. |
As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. | As in water a face reflects the face, So the heart of a person reflects the person. |
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law, Even his prayer is an abomination. |
He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. | One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, But one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion. |
A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. | A fool always loses his temper, But a wise person holds it back. |
A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. | A person’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor. |
The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. | The fear of man brings a snare, But one who trusts in the Lord will be protected. |
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. | Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. |