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

He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

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

A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.

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

When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn.

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 deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling 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 show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.

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

A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows.

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

A fool’s mouth is his ruin, 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 whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

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 who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys.

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 runs 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.

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

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

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.

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

He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to 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 can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?

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 mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, 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 first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

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

The cast lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.

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 contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

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.

With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

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 who love it will eat its fruit.

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

He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the Lord.

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

The poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers 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 of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.