1He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,
And rageth against all sound wisdom.

2A fool hath no delight in understanding,
But only that his heart may reveal itself.

3When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,
And with ignominy cometh reproach.

4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

5To respect the person of the wicked is not good,
Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calleth for stripes.

7A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts.

9He also that is slack in his work
Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

10The name of Jehovah is a strong tower;
The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And as a high wall in his own imagination.

12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty;
And before honor goeth humility.

13He that giveth answer before he heareth,
It is folly and shame unto him.

14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
But a broken spirit who can bear?

15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;
And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16A man’s gift maketh room for him,
And bringeth him before great men.

17He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;
But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

18The lot causeth contentions to cease,
And parteth between the mighty.

19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city;
And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;
With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

21Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

23The poor useth entreaties;
But the rich answereth roughly.

24He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction;
But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.