1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

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

2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.

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

3 W hen the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach.

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

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

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

5 I t is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

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 blows.

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 T he words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

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

9 H e who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

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

10 T he name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

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

11 T he rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.

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

12 B efore destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.

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

13 H e who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

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

14 T he spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?

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

15 T he heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, 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 T he first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

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

18 C asting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart.

The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And 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 stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall 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 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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

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

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

23 T he poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly.

The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who 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.