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

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

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

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

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

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

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 deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

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

To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 wall in his own imagination.

A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like 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, But humility goes before honor.

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

He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.

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

The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?

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

The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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

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

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

The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

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

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

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 contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he 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 that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

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

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

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

The poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers 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.

A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.