Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. | There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
Repent and renounce all your transgressions. Otherwise your iniquity will prove to be your downfall. | Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! |
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However, those who want riches fall into temptations and are trapped into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. | But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. |
He who guards his mouth makes his life secure, but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall. | Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. |
A wise man will heed commandments, but a babbling fool will come to grief. | The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces. |
With his mouth the godless man seeks to ruin his neighbor, but knowledge enables the righteous to be delivered. | With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous. |
The Lord watches over the stranger and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he blocks the way of the wicked. | The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. |
The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright, but destruction for evildoers. | The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. |
Do not let anyone lead you astray. “Bad company corrupts good morals.” | Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” |
Can a woman forget the infant at her breast; or feel no compassion for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. Behold, I have inscribed your name on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before my eyes. | Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins. |