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

¶ Whosoever goes astray seeks according to his own lust and shall meddle with every doctrine.

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

¶ A fool has no delight in understanding, but in that which his own heart discovers.

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

¶ When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with him who dishonours, 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.

¶ To respect the person of the wicked so that the righteous loses that which is rightfully his is not good.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows.

¶ A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls 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 seem smooth, but 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 negligent in his work is brother to him that is the great spendthrift.

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 shall run into it, and be raised up.

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 wall in his imagination.

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

¶ Before being broken, the heart of man is haughty, and before coming into honour, comes being brought to humility.

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

¶ For him that answers a word before he hears, it is folly and reproach unto him.

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

¶ The spirit of man will bear his infirmity, but a broken 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 man of understanding acquires wisdom, and 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 one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

¶ The one who is just is first in his cause, his adversary comes and seeks him out.

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

¶ The lot causes contentions to cease and decides 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 filled with the fruit of his mouth, and with the product 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 those that love it shall eat its fruit.

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

¶ Whosoever found a wife found a good thing and has attained the favour of the LORD.

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

¶ The poor uses intreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

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

¶ The man that has friends must show himself to be a friend, and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.