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

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

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

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

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

When a sinful man comes, hate comes also, and where there is no honor, there is shame.

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

5 A cceptance of the face of the wicked not good, To turn aside 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 T he lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.

The lips of a fool bring fighting, and his mouth calls for a beating.

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

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 also that is remiss in his work, A brother he to a destroyer.

He who is lazy in his work is a 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 man who does what is right 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.

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 man is high, And before honour humility.

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

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

If one gives an answer before he hears, it makes him foolish and ashamed.

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

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

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

An understanding mind gets much learning, and the ear of the wise listens for much learning.

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 in front of great men.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 gets favor from the Lord.

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

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

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

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