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

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

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

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

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

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 wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

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

5 I t is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow 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 enter into contention, 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 destruction, 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 talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost 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 who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

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 run to it and are safe.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The man who does what is right runs 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 money is his strong city, and he thinks it is like a high wall.

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

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

13 H e who answers a matter before he hears it, 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 will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?

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

15 T he heart 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 one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly.

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

24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, 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.