It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. | It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. |
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. | Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. |
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Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. | Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. |
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. | Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. |
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. | The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. |
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. | Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. |
Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. | Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. |
The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. | Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. |
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem. | The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. |
Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase. | Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. |
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. |
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. | Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. |
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. |
A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. | A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. |
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. | Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. |
A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. | A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. |
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished. | The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. |
Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. | Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. |
The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. | A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. |
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. | Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. |
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly. | He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. |
He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. | Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. |
He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. | Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. |