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

He who stays away from others cares only about himself. He argues against all good wisdom.

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

A fool does not find joy in understanding, but only in letting his own mind be known.

3 W hen a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn.

When a sinful man comes, hate comes also, and where there is no honor, there is shame.

4 T he words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters. Wisdom comes like a flowing river making a pleasant noise.

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

It is not good to favor the sinful, or to keep what is fair from one who is right with God.

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

The lips of a fool bring fighting, and his mouth calls for a beating.

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

The mouth of a fool is what destroys him, and his lips are a trap to his soul.

8 T he words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

The words of one who speaks about others in secret are like tempting bites of food. They go down into the inside parts of the body.

9 H e also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys.

He who is lazy in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

10 T he name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The man who does what is right runs into it and is safe.

11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.

The rich man’s money is his strong city, and he thinks it is like a high wall.

12 B efore destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.

The heart of a man is proud before he is destroyed, but having no pride goes before honor.

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

If one gives an answer before he hears, it makes him foolish and ashamed.

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

The spirit of a man can help him through his sickness, but who can carry a broken spirit?

15 T he mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

An understanding mind gets much learning, and the ear of the wise listens for much learning.

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 in front of great men.

17 T he first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

He who tells his story first makes people think he is right, until the other comes to test him.

18 T he cast lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.

Throwing an object to decide puts an end to arguing. It keeps powerful men from fighting.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

A brother who has been hurt in his spirit is harder to be won than a strong city, and arguing is like the iron gates of a king’s house.

20 W ith the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

A man’s stomach will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be filled with what his lips speak.

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

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

22 H e who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the Lord.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and gets favor from the Lord.

23 T he poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly.

The poor man asks for loving-kindness, but the rich man is hard in his answers.

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

A man who has friends must be a friend, but there is a friend who stays nearer than a brother.