Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. | Pleasing words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and affording health to the body. |
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. | A perverse man sows strife, and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships. |
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One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. | It is better to be a patient man rather than a warrior, one who controls his temper rather than one who captures a city. |
Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents. | Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. |
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince. | Fine words are not becoming to a fool, and much less are false words to a noble. |
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends. | One who forgives a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who divulges it separates good friends. |
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. | A true friend is one at all times, and a brother is born to render help in time of need. |
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. | A cheerful heart is excellent medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. |
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; if he closes his lips, he is regarded as intelligent. |
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. | A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only delights in expressing his own opinions. |
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. | The lips of a fool cause strife, and his mouth provokes a flogging. |
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. | The whispers of a gossiper are tasty morsels that corrode one’s inner being. |
Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the upright man runs to it and finds refuge. |
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. | The wealth of a rich man is his stronghold; he regards it as a high wall that cannot be scaled. |
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. | A man is haughty until disaster overtakes him, but humility comes before honors. |
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. | A gift opens doors for the giver and wins him access to the powerful. |
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. | The tongue has the power over life and death; those who cherish it will enjoy its fruits. |
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. | One who finds a wife finds happiness and receives favor from the Lord. |
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. |
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good. | Whoever gains wisdom loves his own soul; one who cherishes understanding will prosper. |
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh. | A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is a gift from the Lord. |
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die. | Whoever observes the commandments will live, but the one who scorns them will die. |
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail. | Many are the plans in a human mind, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will prevail. |
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. | A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. |
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. | It is honorable to avoid strife, but every fool is quarrelsome. |