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

An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.

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 only in revealing his own opinion.

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

When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.

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 like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like 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 be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

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

A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.

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 a snare 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 a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.

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.

One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

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

Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are 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, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

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

Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

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

He who gives answer before he hears, that 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?

A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed 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 discerning gets knowledge. 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.

He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.

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

The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

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 more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

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 is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

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; 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.

Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.

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

The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

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 many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.