¹ He who separates himself seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom. ² A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind. ³ When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes,
And with dishonor comes scorn. ⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. ⁵ To show partiality to the wicked is not good,
Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment. ⁶ A fool’s lips bring strife,
And his mouth calls for blows. ⁷ A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul. ⁸ The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. ⁹ He also who is slack in his work
Is brother to him who destroys. ¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe. ¹¹ A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own imagination. ¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
But humility goes before honor. ¹³ He who gives an answer before he hears,
It is folly and shame to him. ¹⁴ The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
But as for a broken spirit who can bear it? ¹⁵ The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. ¹⁶ A man’s gift makes room for him
And brings him before great men. ¹⁷ The first to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and examines him. ¹⁸ The cast lot puts an end to strife
And decides between the mighty ones. ¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a citadel. ²⁰ With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. ²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit. ²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor from the LORD. ²³ The poor man utters supplications,
But the rich man answers roughly. ²⁴ A man of too many friends comes to ruin,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.