| Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. | It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. |
| People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. | A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
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| The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. | To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
| Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. |
| Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! | All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. |
| Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. | A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. |
| True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. | Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. |
| Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. | Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. |
| Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. | The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. |
| Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. | Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. |
| In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. | 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. |
| My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed. |
| The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. | The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. |
| 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. | 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. |
| A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. | Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. |
| 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. | 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. |
| A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. | The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. |
| As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. | As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. |
| As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. | As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. |
| God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. | If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. |
| People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. | Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. |
| Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. | Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. |
| Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. | Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. |
| Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. | Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. |
| Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. | Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. |
