1 ¶ Whosoever goes astray seeks according to his own lust and shall meddle with every doctrine.

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

2 ¶ A fool has no delight in understanding, but in that which his own heart discovers.

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

3 ¶ When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with him who dishonours, reproach.

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

4 ¶ The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 ¶ To respect the person of the wicked so that the righteous loses that which is rightfully his is not good.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6 ¶ A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.

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

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 ¶ The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 ¶ He also that is negligent in his work is brother to him that is the great spendthrift.

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

10 ¶ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous shall run into it, and be raised up.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 ¶ The rich man’s wealth is his strong city and as a high wall in his imagination.

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 ¶ Before being broken, the heart of man is haughty, and before coming into honour, comes being brought to humility.

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

13 ¶ For him that answers a word before he hears, it is folly and reproach unto him.

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

14 ¶ The spirit of man will bear his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

15 ¶ The heart of the man of understanding acquires wisdom, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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

16 ¶ A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

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

17 ¶ The one who is just is first in his cause, his adversary comes and seeks him out.

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 ¶ The lot causes contentions to cease and decides 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 their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 ¶ A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth, and with the product of his lips shall he be filled.

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

21 ¶ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat its fruit.

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

22 ¶ Whosoever found a wife found a good thing and has attained the favour of the LORD.

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

23 ¶ The poor uses intreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24 ¶ The man that has friends must show himself to be a friend, and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.