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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 T o show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside 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 bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows.

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

7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, 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 whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.

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

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 runs into it and is safe.

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

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

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, But humility goes before honor.

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

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

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

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

A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

15 T he mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, 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 T he first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

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

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

The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

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

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

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 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 those who love it will eat its fruit.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; 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.

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

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

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

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

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