1
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all 1 wise judgment.
2
A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his a own heart.
3
When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.
4
b The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;
c The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5
It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in d judgment.
6
A fool's lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7
e A fool's mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his f soul.
8
g The words of a 2 talebearer are like 3 tasty trifles,
And they go down into the 4 inmost body.
9
He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10
The name of the LORD is a strong h tower;
The righteous run to it and are 5 safe.
11
The rich man's wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12
i Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.
13
He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.
14
The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?
15
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16
j A man's gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.
17
The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18
Casting k lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
19
A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20
l A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21
m Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22
n He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the LORD.
23
The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers o roughly.
24
A man who has friends 6 must himself be friendly, 7
p But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.