1 F or desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.

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 delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.

A fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.

3 W ith the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach.

When the wicked comes in, he becomes a contemptuous despiser, and with inner baseness comes outer shame and reproach.

4 D eep waters the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom 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 A cceptance of the face of the wicked not good, To turn aside 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 T he lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.

A fool’s lips bring contention, and his mouth invites a beating.

7 T he mouth of a fool ruin to him, And his lips 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 tale-bearer as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down the inner parts of the heart.

The words of a whisperer or talebearer are as dainty morsels; they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

9 H e also that is remiss in his work, A brother he to a 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 A tower of strength the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe, high and strong.

11 T he wealth of the rich the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.

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 man is high, And before honour humility.

Haughtiness comes before disaster, but humility before honor.

13 W hoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.

He who answers a matter before he hears the facts—it is folly and shame to him.

14 T he spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?

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 intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh 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 T he gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.

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

17 R ighteous the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.

He who states his case first seems right, until his rival comes and cross-examines him.

18 T he lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.

To cast lots puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.

19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.

A brother offended is harder to be won over than a strong city, and contentions separate them like the bars of a castle.

20 F rom the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, increase of his lips he is satisfied.

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 in the power of the tongue, And those loving it 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 ath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

23 s upplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.

The poor man uses entreaties, but the rich answers roughly.

24 A man with friends to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more 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.