1 T hrough desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

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

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

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

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

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

4 T he 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 I t is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

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 calleth 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 T he words of a talebearer are as wounds, and 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 H e also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

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

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

Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.

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

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

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

Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

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

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

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

A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed 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 discerning gets knowledge. 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 is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

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

18 T he lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth 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 satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase 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 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; those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 W hoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

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

23 T he poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

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

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

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