| It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. | It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. |
| A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. | A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
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| To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
| Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor too. |
| All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. | All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. |
| A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. | An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. |
| Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. | The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. |
| Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. | Train a child in the way he should go, and he will not deviate from it, even in old age. |
| The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. | The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender. |
| Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. | Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. |
| Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. | When you fix your gaze upon it, it is gone before you realize it. For it suddenly sprouts wings and flies up to the sky like an eagle. |
| My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed. | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. |
| The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. | The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. |
| Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. | In much the same manner will wisdom be sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off. |
| Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. | Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. |
| Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away. | Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your father, and do not run to your brother’s house when troubles befall you; far better is a friend nearby than a brother who is far away. |
| The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. | The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter, while the simple continue forward and pay the penalty. |
| As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. | As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. |
| As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. | Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. |
| If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. | When anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayer is detestable. |
| Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. | No one who conceals his transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and renounces them will obtain mercy. |
| Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. | A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. |
| Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. | A man’s pride will bring him low, but lowly souls will rise to honor. |
| Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. | The fear of others will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is secure. |
| Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. | Every word of God has proved to be true; he is a shield to those who trust in him. |
