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

He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.

A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.

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

When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn.

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 deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5 A cceptance of the face of the wicked not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.

6 T he lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.

A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows.

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 the snare of his soul.

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 are like dainty morsels, And 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 also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys.

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 runs into it and is safe.

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

A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.

12 B efore destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour humility.

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.

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

He who gives an answer before he hears, 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 spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?

15 T he heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks 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.

The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

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

The cast lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.

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 than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

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

With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

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 those who love it will eat its fruit.

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 utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly.

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

A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.