The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. | The hand of the diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor. |
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. | Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up. |
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He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. | Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin. |
The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. | Wealth is a ransom for a person's life, but the poor get no threats. |
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. | By insolence the heedless make strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice. |
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. | Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but those who gather little by little will increase it. |
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 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 the companion of fools suffers harm. |
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. | A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. |
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 person, but its end is the way to death. |
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. | In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. | Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly. |
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. |
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. | A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. |
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. | A fool despises a parent's instruction, but the one who heeds admonition is prudent. |
Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. | Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. |
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. | Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed. |
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! | To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and a word in season, how good it is! |
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. | The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor. |
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. | Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. |
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. | Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice. |
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. | The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. |
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! | How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. |
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. | Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the Lord. |