| The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. | Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. |
| Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. | Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. |
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| He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. | Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. |
| The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke. | A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. |
| By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. | Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. |
| Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. | Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. |
| Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. |
| He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. | Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. |
| A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. | An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. |
| There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. | There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. |
| In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. | All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
| He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. | Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. |
| Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. |
| A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
| A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. |
| A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. | A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. |
| Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. | Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. |
| Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. | Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. |
| A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! | A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! |
| The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. | Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. |
| Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. | Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. |
| Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. | Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. |
| A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. | In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. |
| How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. | How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! |
| He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. | Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. |
