I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. | To You, God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter. |
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. | Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. |
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Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. | Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. |
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. | Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. |
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. | For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. |
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. | The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. |
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. | For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age. |