1 He that separateth himself seeketh {his} pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, {and} the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.

7 A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.

10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour {goeth} humility.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of an intelligent {man} getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

17 He that is first in his own cause {seemeth} just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is {harder to be won} than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.

20 A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.

23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man of {many} friends will come to ruin but there is a friend {that} sticketh closer than a brother.

1 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,

And rageth against all sound wisdom.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding,

But only that his heart may reveal itself.

3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,

And with ignominy cometh reproach.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;

The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good,

Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention,

And his mouth calleth for stripes.

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts.

9 He also that is slack in his work

Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower;

The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

And as a high wall in his own imagination.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty;

And before honor goeth humility.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth,

It is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

But a broken spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;

And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man’s gift maketh room for him,

And bringeth him before great men.

17 He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;

But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease,

And parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city;

And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;

With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue;

And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,

And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

23 The poor useth entreaties;

But the rich answereth roughly.

24 He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction;

But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.