| It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. | Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. |
| Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. | People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. |
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| To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. |
| He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. | Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
| He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. | Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
| A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. | Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. |
| By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. | True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. |
| Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. | Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. |
| The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. | Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. |
| Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. | Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. |
| Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. | In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. |
| My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. | My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! |
| The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. | The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. |
| So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. | In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. |
| He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. | A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. |
| Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. | Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away. |
| A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. | A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. |
| Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. | As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. |
| As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. | As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. |
| He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. | God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. |
| He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. | People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. |
| A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. | Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. |
| A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. | Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. |
| The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. | Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. |
| Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. | Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. |
