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

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

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

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

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

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy 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.

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

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

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth 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 are as wounds, and 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 slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

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 runneth into it, and is safe.

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 an high wall in his own conceit.

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

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

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

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame 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 a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded 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 prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

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

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

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

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

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

The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth 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 satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase 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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

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

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

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

The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth 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.

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.