Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. | Pleasing words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and affording health to the body. |
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. | The Lord abhors lying lips, but he delights in those who are truthful. |
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My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. | Observe your father’s command, my son, and do not reject your mother’s teaching. |
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. | Every word of God has proved to be true; he is a shield to those who trust in him. |
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. | Riches will be of no avail on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. |
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. | A man may plan his own course, but the Lord makes his steps secure. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred sickens the heart, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. |
For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. | For he guards the paths of justice and keeps watch over the way of his faithful ones. |
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. | Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. |
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. |
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. | The whispers of a gossiper are tasty morsels that corrode one’s inner being. |
If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. | When anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayer is detestable. |
A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. | A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. |
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the upright man runs to it and finds refuge. |
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid. |
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. | Treasures obtained by wicked means profit nothing, but a righteous life brings delivery from death. |
It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. | It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. |
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. | A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only delights in expressing his own opinions. |
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son gives grief to his mother. |
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. | Do not withhold kindness from anyone to whom it is due when it is in your power to grant it. |
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. | A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is a gift from the Lord. |
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. | Ensure that the path you tread is level, and then your ways will be sure. |
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! | Fine words are not becoming to a fool, and much less are false words to a noble. |
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. | The hope of the righteous brings them joy, but the expectations of the wicked are frustrated. |
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. | An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. |