Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. | The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. |
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. | Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. |
|
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. | He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. |
The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. | The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats. |
Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. | Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice. |
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. | Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. |
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. | One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. |
An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. | A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies. |
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. | There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. |
Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! | In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. |
People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. | He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly. |
Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. | A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. | A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. |
Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. | A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. |
Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. | Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. |
Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. | Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. |
Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! | Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! |
Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. | The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. |
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. | Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. |
Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. | Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. |
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. | A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. |
How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! | How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. |
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. | He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. |