Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. | Anxiety in the human heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. |
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. | Speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves, and defend the rights of the destitute. |
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I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. | I have instructed you in the ways of wisdom and led you along the paths of righteousness. |
Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil. | Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. |
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. | It is better to have little and be righteous than to acquire great riches with injustice. |
That he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his saints. | For he guards the paths of justice and keeps watch over the way of his faithful ones. |
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail. | Many are the plans in a human mind, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will prevail. |
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts. | A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. | Listen, my son, and take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be multiplied. |
For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. | For the Lord himself is the one who bestows wisdom; from his mouth come forth knowledge and understanding. |
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy. | Speak out and pronounce righteous judgments; defend the rights of the wretched and the poor. |
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. | Pleasing words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and affording health to the body. |
Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase. | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops. |
Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. | It is better to have a little and fear the Lord than to possess immense wealth and suffer anguish. |
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. | Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. |
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. | A man is haughty until disaster overtakes him, but humility comes before honors. |
A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control. | A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. |
The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. | The righteous is remembered with blessings, but the name of the wicked fades away. |
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. | There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. |
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. | The one who pays heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. |
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid. |
A wise son makes a glad 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. |
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. | Authority will be granted to the diligent, but the lazy will be enslaved. |
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. | To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. | Then you will understand equity and justice as well as righteousness—every good path. |