The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. | The hand of the diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor. |
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. | Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up. |
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He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. | Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin. |
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats. | Wealth is a ransom for a person's life, but the poor get no threats. |
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice. | By insolence the heedless make strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice. |
Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow. | Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but those who gather little by little will increase it. |
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. |
One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. | Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm. |
A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies. | A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. |
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. | There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. |
In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. | In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly. | Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. |
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. | A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. |
A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. | A fool despises a parent's instruction, but the one who heeds admonition is prudent. |
Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. | Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. |
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. | Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed. |
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! | To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and a word in season, how good it is! |
The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. | The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor. |
Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. | Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. |
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. | Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice. |
A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. | The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. |
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. | How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. |
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. | Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the Lord. |