1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
He who willfully separates and estranges himself seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.
A fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.
3 W hen the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach.
When the wicked comes in, he becomes a contemptuous despiser, and with inner baseness comes outer shame and 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 like deep waters, and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream.
5 I t is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
To respect the person of the wicked and be partial to him, so as to deprive the righteous of justice, is not good.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows.
A fool’s lips bring contention, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself.
8 T he words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
The words of a whisperer or talebearer are as dainty morsels; they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
9 H e who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.
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 man runs into it and is safe, high and strong.
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 a high protecting wall in his own imagination and conceit.
12 B efore destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
Haughtiness comes before disaster, but humility before honor.
13 H e who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
He who answers a matter before he hears the facts—it is folly and shame to him.
14 T he spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?
The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear?
15 T he heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The mind of the prudent is ever getting knowledge, and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) 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 one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
He who states his case first seems right, until his rival comes and cross-examines him.
18 C asting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart.
To cast lots puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.
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 over than a strong city, and contentions separate them 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 self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be 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, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it.
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 obtains favor from the Lord.
23 T he poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly.
The poor man uses entreaties, but the rich answers roughly.
24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The man of many friends will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.