Authority will be granted to the diligent, but the lazy will be enslaved. | The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. |
Anxiety in the human heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. | Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. |
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He who guards his mouth makes his life secure, but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall. | He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. |
A wealthy man pays a ransom to save his life; a poor man never has to worry about such threats. | The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats. |
An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. | Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice. |
Wealth hastily acquired will dwindle away, but when amassed little by little, it will increase. | Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow. |
Hope deferred sickens the heart, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. |
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but he who mingles with fools will suffer harm. | One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. |
A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness lies incessantly. | A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies. |
There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. | There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. |
Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. | In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. |
A patient man shows good sense, but a quick-tempered man displays the height of folly. | He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly. |
Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. | A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. | A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. |
A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. | A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. |
It is better to have a little and fear the Lord than to possess immense wealth and suffer anguish. | Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. |
Plans miscarry when counsel is lacking, but they succeed when there are many counselors. | Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. |
A man is joyful when he utters apt answers, and even more satisfying is a word in season. | Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! |
The fear of the Lord provides instruction in wisdom, and to be humble is the way to honor. | The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. |
Entrust everything that you do to the Lord, and your plans will turn out to be successful. | Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. |
It is better to have little and be righteous than to acquire great riches with injustice. | Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. |
A man may plan his own course, but the Lord makes his steps secure. | A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. |
It is better to acquire wisdom rather than gold, and more desirable to acquire understanding rather than silver. | How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. |
The one who pays heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. | He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. |