1 H e who willfully separates and estranges himself seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment.

¶ Whosoever goes astray seeks according to his own lust and shall meddle with every doctrine.

2 A fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.

¶ A fool has no delight in understanding, but in that which his own heart discovers.

3 W hen the wicked comes in, he becomes a contemptuous despiser, and with inner baseness comes outer shame and reproach.

¶ When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with him who dishonours, reproach.

4 T he words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream.

¶ The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 T o respect the person of the wicked and be partial to him, so as to deprive the righteous of justice, is not good.

¶ To respect the person of the wicked so that the righteous loses that which is rightfully his is not good.

6 A fool’s lips bring contention, and his mouth invites a beating.

¶ A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.

7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself.

A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 T he words of a whisperer or talebearer are as dainty morsels; they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

¶ The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 H e who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.

¶ He also that is negligent in his work is brother to him that is the great spendthrift.

10 T he name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe, high and strong.

¶ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous shall run into it, and be raised up.

11 T he rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as a high protecting wall in his own imagination and conceit.

¶ The rich man’s wealth is his strong city and as a high wall in his imagination.

12 H aughtiness comes before disaster, but humility before honor.

¶ Before being broken, the heart of man is haughty, and before coming into honour, comes being brought to humility.

13 H e who answers a matter before he hears the facts—it is folly and shame to him.

¶ For him that answers a word before he hears, it is folly and reproach unto him.

14 T he strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear?

¶ The spirit of man will bear his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?

15 T he mind of the prudent is ever getting knowledge, and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) knowledge.

¶ The heart of the man of understanding acquires wisdom, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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

¶ A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

17 H e who states his case first seems right, until his rival comes and cross-examines him.

¶ The one who is just is first in his cause, his adversary comes and seeks him out.

18 T o cast lots puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.

¶ The lot causes contentions to cease and decides between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won over than a strong city, and contentions separate them like the bars of a castle.

¶ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man’s self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied.

¶ A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth, and with the product of his lips shall he be filled.

21 D eath and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it.

¶ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat its fruit.

22 H e who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

¶ Whosoever found a wife found a good thing and has attained the favour of the LORD.

23 T he poor man uses entreaties, but the rich answers roughly.

¶ The poor uses intreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

24 T he man of many friends will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

¶ The man that has friends must show himself to be a friend, and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.