1 H e that separateth himself seeketh pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.

For desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.

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

A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.

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

With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach.

4 T he words of a man's mouth are deep waters, the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.

Deep waters the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom a flowing brook.

5 I t is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.

Acceptance of the face of the wicked not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

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

The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.

7 A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

The mouth of a fool ruin to him, And his lips the snare of his soul.

8 T he words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

The words of a tale-bearer as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down the inner parts of the heart.

9 H e also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.

He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he to a destroyer.

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

A tower of strength the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.

11 T he rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.

The wealth of the rich the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.

12 B efore destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour humility.

Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour humility.

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

Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.

14 T he spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?

15 T he heart of an intelligent getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

The heart of the intelligent 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.

The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.

17 H e that is first in his own cause just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

Righteous the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.

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

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

19 A brother offended is than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.

A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.

20 A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.

From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, increase of his lips he is 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 in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.

22 W hoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.

hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

23 H e that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.

supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.

24 A man of friends will come to ruin but there is a friend sticketh closer than a brother.

A man with friends to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!