1The separatist seeks his own desire; He breaks out against all sound wisdom.

2A fool does not delight in understanding, But in uncovering his own heart.

3When a wrong one comes, scorn comes too. And with shame comes reproach.

4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.

5It is not good to show partiality to the wrong, Or to turn aside the righteous in right-ruling.

6A fool’s lips enter into strife, And his mouth calls for blows.

7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his life.

8The words of a slanderer are like delicacies, And they go down into the inner parts of the heart.

9Also, he who is slack in his work Is a brother of a master destroyer.

10The Name of יהוה is a strong tower; The righteous run into it and are safe.

11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.

12Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before esteem is humility.

13He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

14The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness, But who does bear a broken spirit?

15The heart of the understanding one gets knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

17The first to state his own case, seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

18The lot settles disputes, And separates between the mighty.

19A brother transgressed against is a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

20A man’s stomach is satisfied From the fruit of his mouth; He is satisfied with the increase of his lips.

21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.

22He who has found a wife has found good, And receives favour from יהוה.

23The poor speaks beseechingly, But the rich answers fiercely.

24A man of many friends might come to ruin, But there is a Loving One Who sticks closer than a brother!