The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy hand will be put to forced labor. | Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. |
Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. | Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. |
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One who guards his mouth protects his life; One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. | Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. |
The ransom of a person’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke. | The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. |
Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |
Wealth obtained from nothing dwindles, But one who gathers by labor increases it. | Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. |
One who walks with wise people will be wise, But a companion of fools will suffer harm. | Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. |
A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness declares lies. | An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. |
There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death. | There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. | Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! |
One who is slow to anger has great understanding; But one who is quick-tempered exalts foolishness. | People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people. | Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. |
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit. | Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. |
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who complies with rebuke is sensible. | Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. |
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure, and turmoil with the treasure. | Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. |
Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. | Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. |
A person has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! | Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! |
The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility. | Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. |
Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established. | Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. |
Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. | Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. |
The mind of a person plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. | We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. |
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. | How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! |
One who pays attention to the word will find good, And blessed is one who trusts in the Lord. | Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. |