Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. | Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. |
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. | Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. |
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I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. | I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. |
Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil. | Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. |
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. | Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. |
That he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his saints. | He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. |
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail. | You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. |
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts. | People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. |
Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. | My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. |
For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. | For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. |
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy. | Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. |
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. | Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. |
Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase. | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. |
Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. | Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. |
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. | Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. |
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. | Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control. | Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. |
The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. | We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. |
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. | There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. | Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. |
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. | To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. |
A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. | A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. |
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. | Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. |
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. | The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. |
Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. | Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. |