Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. | It is honorable to avoid strife, but every fool is quarrelsome. |
Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. | Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. |
|
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. | Speak out and pronounce righteous judgments; defend the rights of the wretched and the poor. |
A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. | A fool is quick to show his anger, but a prudent man ignores an insult. |
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. | Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. |
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. | Pleasing words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and affording health to the body. |
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. | Blessed is the person who has found wisdom, the one who has gained understanding. |
Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. |
True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. | The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. |
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. | Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. |
How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! | It is better to acquire wisdom rather than gold, and more desirable to acquire understanding rather than silver. |
People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. | A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. | Whoever observes the commandments will live, but the one who scorns them will die. |
Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. | The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender. |
Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. | Treasures obtained by wicked means profit nothing, but a righteous life brings delivery from death. |
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. | A true friend is one at all times, and a brother is born to render help in time of need. |
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. | The Lord abhors lying lips, but he delights in those who are truthful. |
My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. | Listen, my son, and take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be multiplied. |
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. | There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. |
Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. | A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. |
For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. | For the Lord himself is the one who bestows wisdom; from his mouth come forth knowledge and understanding. |
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. | Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. |
He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. | For he guards the paths of justice and keeps watch over the way of his faithful ones. |
Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. | The lips of a fool cause strife, and his mouth provokes a flogging. |
Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. | The labors of the wicked man produce little profit, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. |