Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. | Pleasing words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and affording health to the body. |
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. | A perverse man sows strife, and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships. |
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Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. | It is better to be a patient man rather than a warrior, one who controls his temper rather than one who captures a city. |
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. | Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. |
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! | Fine words are not becoming to a fool, and much less are false words to a noble. |
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. | One who forgives a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who divulges it separates good friends. |
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. | A true friend is one at all times, and a brother is born to render help in time of need. |
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. | A cheerful heart is excellent medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. |
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; if he closes his lips, he is regarded as intelligent. |
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. | A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only delights in expressing his own opinions. |
The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. | The lips of a fool cause strife, and his mouth provokes a flogging. |
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. | The whispers of a gossiper are tasty morsels that corrode one’s inner being. |
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the upright man runs to it and finds refuge. |
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. | The wealth of a rich man is his stronghold; he regards it as a high wall that cannot be scaled. |
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. | A man is haughty until disaster overtakes him, but humility comes before honors. |
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. | A gift opens doors for the giver and wins him access to the powerful. |
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. | The tongue has the power over life and death; those who cherish it will enjoy its fruits. |
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. | One who finds a wife finds happiness and receives favor from the Lord. |
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. |
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. | Whoever gains wisdom loves his own soul; one who cherishes understanding will prosper. |
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. | A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is a gift from the Lord. |
Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. | Whoever observes the commandments will live, but the one who scorns them will die. |
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. | Many are the plans in a human mind, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will prevail. |
What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. | A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. |
It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. | It is honorable to avoid strife, but every fool is quarrelsome. |