Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. | Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. |
My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace. | My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. |
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Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man. | Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. |
Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones. | Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. |
Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase. | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. |
My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction; for whom Yahweh loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights. | My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. |
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. | Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. |
Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. | Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. |
Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways. For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, but his friendship is with the upright. | Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly. |
Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth. | Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. |
Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. | Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. |
Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. | My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. |
I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. | I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. |
My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. | My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart. |
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. | Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. |
Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. | Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. |
Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. | Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. |
Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. | Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. |
Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil. | Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. |
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching. | My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. |
Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched? | Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? |
The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. | All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. |
For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. | For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. |
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. | Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. |
A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. | A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. |