1He who separateshimself seeks[his own] desire,He quarrelsagainst allsoundwisdom.
2A fooldoes not delightin understanding,But onlyin revealinghis own mind.
3When a wickedmancomes,contemptalsocomes,And with dishonor[comes] scorn.
4The wordsof a man'smouthare deepwaters;The fountainof wisdomis a bubblingbrook.
5To showpartialityto the wickedis not good,[Nor] to thrustasidethe righteousin judgment.
6A fool'slipsbringstrife,And his mouthcallsfor blows.
7A fool'smouthis his ruin,And his lipsare the snareof his soul.
8The wordsof a whispererare like daintymorsels,And they godowninto the innermostpartsof the body.
9He alsowho is slackin his workIs brotherto him who destroys.
10The nameof the LORDis a strongtower;The righteousrunsinto it and is safe.
11A richman'swealthis his strongcity,And like a highwallin his own imagination.
12Beforedestructionthe heartof manis haughty,But humility[goes] beforehonor.
13He who givesan answerbeforehe hears,It is follyand shameto him.
14The spiritof a mancan endurehis sickness,But [as for] a brokenspiritwhocan bearit?
15The mindof the prudentacquiresknowledge,And the earof the wiseseeksknowledge.
16A man'sgiftmakesroomfor him And bringshim beforegreatmen.
17The firstto pleadhis case[seems] right,[Until] anothercomesand examineshim.
18The [cast] lotputsan endto strifeAnd decidesbetweenthe mightyones.
19A brotheroffended[is harder to be won] thana strongcity,And contentionsare like the barsof a citadel.
20With the fruitof a man'smouthhis stomachwill be satisfied;He will be satisfied[with] the productof his lips.
21Deathand lifeare in the powerof the tongue,And those who loveit will eatits fruit.
22He who findsa wifefindsa goodthingAnd obtainsfavorfrom the LORD.
23The poormanutterssupplications,But the richmananswersroughly.
24A manof [too many] friends[comes] to ruin,But thereis a friendwhostickscloserthana brother.
