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 stays away from others cares only about himself. He argues against all good wisdom.

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

A fool does not find joy in understanding, but only in letting his own mind be known.

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

When a sinful man comes, hate comes also, and where there is no honor, there is shame.

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. Wisdom comes like a flowing river making a pleasant noise.

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 favor the sinful, or to keep what is fair from one who is right with God.

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

The lips of a fool bring fighting, and his mouth calls for a beating.

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

The mouth of a fool is what destroys him, and his lips are a trap to 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 one who speaks about others in secret are like tempting bites of food. They go down into the inside 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 who is lazy in his work is a 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 man who does what is right 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.

The rich man’s money is his strong city, and he thinks it is like a high wall.

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

The heart of a man is proud before he is destroyed, but having no pride goes before honor.

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

If one gives an answer before he hears, it makes him foolish and ashamed.

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 help him through his sickness, but who can carry a broken spirit?

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.

An understanding mind gets much learning, and the ear of the wise listens for much learning.

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 in front of great men.

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

He who tells his story first makes people think he is right, until the other comes to test him.

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

Throwing an object to decide puts an end to arguing. It keeps powerful men from fighting.

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 who has been hurt in his spirit is harder to be won than a strong city, and arguing is like the iron gates of a king’s house.

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 stomach will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be filled with what his lips speak.

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 gets favor from the Lord.

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

The poor man asks for loving-kindness, but the rich man is hard in his answers.

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 who has friends must be a friend, but there is a friend who stays nearer than a brother.