The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. | Authority will be granted to the diligent, but the lazy will be enslaved. |
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. | Anxiety in the human heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. |
|
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. | He who guards his mouth makes his life secure, but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall. |
The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. | A wealthy man pays a ransom to save his life; a poor man never has to worry about such threats. |
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. | An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. |
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. | Wealth hastily acquired will dwindle away, but when amassed little by little, it will increase. |
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. | Hope deferred sickens the heart, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. |
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. | Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but he who mingles with fools will suffer harm. |
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. | A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness lies incessantly. |
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. | There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. |
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. | Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. |
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. | A patient man shows good sense, but a quick-tempered man displays the height of folly. |
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. | Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. |
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. |
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. | A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. |
Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. | It is better to have a little and fear the Lord than to possess immense wealth and suffer anguish. |
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. | Plans miscarry when counsel is lacking, but they succeed when there are many counselors. |
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! | A man is joyful when he utters apt answers, and even more satisfying is a word in season. |
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. | The fear of the Lord provides instruction in wisdom, and to be humble is the way to honor. |
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. | Entrust everything that you do to the Lord, and your plans will turn out to be successful. |
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. | It is better to have little and be righteous than to acquire great riches with injustice. |
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. | A man may plan his own course, but the Lord makes his steps secure. |
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! | It is better to acquire wisdom rather than gold, and more desirable to acquire understanding rather than silver. |
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. | The one who pays heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. |