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

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

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

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

3 W hen a sinful man comes, hate comes also, and where there is no honor, there is shame.

¶ 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. Wisdom comes like a flowing river making a pleasant noise.

¶ 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 favor the sinful, or to keep what is fair from one who is right with God.

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

6 T he lips of a fool bring fighting, and his mouth calls for a beating.

¶ A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.

7 T he mouth of a fool is what destroys him, and his lips are a trap to his soul.

A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 T he 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.

¶ The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 H e who is lazy in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

¶ 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 man who does what is right runs into it and is 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 money is his strong city, and he thinks it is like a high wall.

¶ The rich man’s wealth is his strong city and as a high wall in his imagination.

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

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

13 I f one gives an answer before he hears, it makes him foolish and ashamed.

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

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

¶ The spirit of man will bear his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?

15 A n understanding mind gets much learning, and the ear of the wise listens for much learning.

¶ 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 in front of great men.

¶ A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

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

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

18 T hrowing an object to decide puts an end to arguing. It keeps powerful men from fighting.

¶ The lot causes contentions to cease and decides between the mighty.

19 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.

¶ 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 will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be filled with what his lips speak.

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

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

24 A man who has friends must be a friend, but there is a friend who stays nearer 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.