1 H e that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

3 W hen the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy cometh reproach.

When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy cometh reproach.

4 T he words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

5 T o respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.

A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.

7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 T he words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

9 H e also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

10 T he name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

The name of Jehovah 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 wall in his own imagination.

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.

12 B efore destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility.

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility.

13 H e that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.

He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.

14 T he spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?

15 T he heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

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

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

17 H e that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

18 T he lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.

The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

21 D eath and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 W hoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

23 T he poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

24 H e that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.