Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. | Trust wholeheartedly in the Lord rather than relying on your own intelligence. In everything you do, acknowledge him, and he will see that your paths are straight. |
My son, do not forget my teaching, But have your heart comply with my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. | My son, do not forget my teaching, but cherish my commandments in your heart, for they will bring you length of days, more years of life, and an abundance of prosperity. |
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Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and a good reputation In the sight of God and man. | Do not let kindness and fidelity leave you; fasten them around your neck and inscribe them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will gain favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. |
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. | Do not pride yourself on your own wisdom; fear the Lord and turn your back on evil. This will provide healing for your flesh and restore strength to your body. |
Honor the Lord from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce. | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops. |
My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His rebuke, For whom the Lord loves He disciplines, Just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights. | My son, do not ignore the Lord’s discipline or refuse to accept his rebuke. For the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, just as a father chastises a beloved son. |
Blessed is a person who finds wisdom, And one who obtains understanding. | Blessed is the person who has found wisdom, the one who has gained understanding. |
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. | Do not withhold kindness from anyone to whom it is due when it is in your power to grant it. |
Do not envy a violent person, And do not choose any of his ways. For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; But He is intimate with the upright. | Do not envy a violent man or choose to emulate any of his ways. For the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord whose friendship is bestowed only upon the upright. |
Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. | Acquire wisdom and gain understanding; never forget or turn aside from my words. |
The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your possessions, acquire understanding. | The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom, and no matter what the cost, acquire understanding. |
Listen, my son, and accept my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. | Listen, my son, and take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be multiplied. |
I have instructed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. | I have instructed you in the ways of wisdom and led you along the paths of righteousness. |
My son, pay attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. They are not to escape from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. | My son, concentrate attentively on my words; pay heed to the instructions I pass on to you. Do not let them slip from your mind; keep them forever in your heart. |
Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. | Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. |
Rid yourself of a deceitful mouth And keep devious speech far from you. | Turn away from the mouth that deceives and keep your distance from lips that mislead. |
Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. | Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze on what lies before you. |
Watch the path of your feet, And all your ways will be established. | Ensure that the path you tread is level, and then your ways will be sure. |
Do not turn to the right or to the left; Turn your foot from evil. | Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. |
My son, comply with the commandment of your father, And do not ignore the teaching of your mother. | Observe your father’s command, my son, and do not reject your mother’s teaching. |
Or can a person walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched? | Or can a man walk on red-hot coals without scorching his feet? |
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride, arrogance, the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate. | The fear of the Lord implies hatred of evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and perverse speech. |
For one who finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord. | For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. |
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. |
A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother. | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son gives grief to his mother. |