Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. | It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. |
Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
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Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. | Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy. |
A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. | A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent. |
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. | Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint. |
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. | Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. |
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. | Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. |
Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. | A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. |
True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. | The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life. |
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. | Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. |
How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! | How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. |
People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. | Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts. |
Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. | He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die. |
Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. | The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. |
Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. | Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. |
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. | A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. |
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. | Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight. |
My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. | Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. |
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. | There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. |
Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. | That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. |
For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. | For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. |
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. | Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. |
He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. | That he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his saints. |
Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. | A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. |
Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. | Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. |