It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. | It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows. |
A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. | Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
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To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor too. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. | All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. |
An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. | A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. |
The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life. | The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. |
Train a child in the way he should go, and he will not deviate from it, even in old age. | Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. |
The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender. | The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. |
Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. | Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. |
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. | When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. |
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. | My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. |
The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. | The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. |
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. | Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. |
Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless is the man devoid of self-control. | A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. |
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. | Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away. |
The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter, while the simple continue forward and pay the penalty. | The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. |
As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. | Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. |
Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. | As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. |
When anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayer is detestable. | If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. |
No one who conceals his transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and renounces them will obtain mercy. | Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. |
A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. | A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. |
A man’s pride will bring him low, but lowly souls will rise to honor. | One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. |
The fear of others will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is secure. | The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. |
Every word of God has proved to be true; he is a shield to those who trust in him. | Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. |