1One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires;

he rejects all sound judgment.

2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding

but only in disclosing what is on his mind.

3When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him,

and with shame comes a reproach.

4The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters,

and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

5It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked,

by depriving a righteous man of justice.

6The lips of a fool enter into strife,

and his mouth invites a flogging.

7The mouth of a fool is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare for his life.

8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

they go down into the person’s innermost being.

9The one who is slack in his work

is a brother to one who destroys.

10The name of the Lord is like a strong tower;

the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.

11The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city,

and it is like a high wall in his imagination.

12Before destruction the heart of a person is proud,

but humility comes before honor.

13The one who gives an answer before he listens –

that is his folly and his shame.

14A person’s spirit sustains him through sickness –

but who can bear a crushed spirit?

15The discerning person acquires knowledge,

and the wise person seeks knowledge.

16A person’s gift makes room for him,

and leads him before important people.

17The first to state his case seems right,

until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.

18A toss of a coin ends disputes,

and settles the issue between strong opponents.

19A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city,

and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.

20From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied,

with the product of his lips is he satisfied.

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

and those who love its use will eat its fruit.

22The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable,

and receives a pleasurable gift from the Lord.

23A poor person makes supplications,

but a rich man answers harshly.

24A person who has friends may be harmed by them,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.