Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. | Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. |
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. | A perverse person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. |
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. | One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city. |
Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents. | Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. |
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince. | Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler. |
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends. | One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend. |
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. | A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity. |
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. | A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones. |
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. | Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent. |
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. | A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion. |
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. | A fool's lips bring strife, and a fool's mouth invites a flogging. |
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. | The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. |
Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. |
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. | The wealth of the rich is their strong city; in their imagination it is like a high wall. |
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. | Before destruction one's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor. |
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. | A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great. |
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. | Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. |
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. | He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. |
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. |
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good. | To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper. |
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh. | House and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. |
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die. | Those who keep the commandment will live; those who are heedless of their ways will die. |
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail. | The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. |
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. | What is desirable in a person is loyalty, and it is better to be poor than a liar. |
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. | It is honorable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. |
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