The hand of the diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor. | Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. |
Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up. | Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. |
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Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin. | Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. |
Wealth is a ransom for a person's life, but the poor get no threats. | A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. |
By insolence the heedless make strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice. | Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. |
Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but those who gather little by little will increase it. | Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. |
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm. | Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. |
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. | An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. |
There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. | There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. |
In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. | All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly. | Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. |
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. |
A fool despises a parent's instruction, but the one who heeds admonition is prudent. | A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. |
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. | Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. |
Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed. | Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. |
To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and a word in season, how good it is! | A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! |
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor. | Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. |
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. | Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. |
Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice. | Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. |
The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. | In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. |
How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. | How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! |
Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the Lord. | Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. |