It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. | 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 the Lord pondereth the hearts. | A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
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To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor too. |
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. | All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. |
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. | An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. |
By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, 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 ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. | The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender. |
Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. | Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. |
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. | 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 thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. |
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. | The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. |
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall 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. |
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. | Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. |
Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. | 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 foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. | The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter, while the simple continue forward and pay the penalty. |
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. | As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. |
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. | Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. |
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. | When anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayer is detestable. |
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. | No one who conceals his transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and renounces them will obtain mercy. |
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. | A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. |
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. | A man’s pride will bring him low, but lowly souls will rise to honor. |
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. | The fear of others will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is secure. |
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. | Every word of God has proved to be true; he is a shield to those who trust in him. |