1 The separatist seeks his own desire; He breaks out against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But in uncovering his own heart.
3 When a wrong one comes, scorn comes too. And with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wrong, Or to turn aside the righteous in right-ruling.
6 A fool’s lips enter into strife, And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his life.
8 The words of a slanderer are like delicacies, And they go down into the inner parts of the heart.
9 Also, he who is slack in his work Is a brother of a master destroyer.
10 The Name of יהוה is a strong tower; The righteous run into it and are safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before esteem is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness, But who does bear a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the understanding one gets knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
17 The first to state his own case, seems right, Until another comes and examines him.
18 The lot settles disputes, And separates between the mighty.
19 A brother transgressed against is a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
20 A man’s stomach is satisfied From the fruit of his mouth; He is satisfied with the increase of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
22 He who has found a wife has found good, And receives favour from יהוה.
23 The poor speaks beseechingly, But the rich answers fiercely.
24 A man of many friends might come to ruin, But there is a Loving One Who sticks closer than a brother!