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

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

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

A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.

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

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

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 like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

5 ¶ To respect the person of the wicked so that the righteous loses that which is rightfully his 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 enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 proud, but before honor is humility.

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

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

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

A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed 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 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 ¶ The one who is just is first in his cause, his adversary comes and seeks him out.

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

18 ¶ The lot causes contentions to cease and decides between the mighty.

The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

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

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

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; those who love it will eat its fruit.

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

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

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

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

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