| It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows. | It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor too. |
| There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold. | All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. |
| A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. | An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. |
| The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life. | The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. |
| Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart 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. The borrower is servant to the lender. | The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender. |
| Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. | Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. |
| Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky. | 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, even mine. | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. |
| The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. | The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. |
| So you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: 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 that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint. | Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. |
| Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother. | 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. |
| A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it. | The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter, while the simple continue forward and pay the penalty. |
| Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance. | As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. |
| Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. | Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. |
| He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. | When anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayer is detestable. |
| He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. | No one who conceals his transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and renounces them will obtain mercy. |
| 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. |
| A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor. | A man’s pride will bring him low, but lowly souls will rise to honor. |
| The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh 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. |
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