• 1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
  • 2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.
  • 3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach.
  • 4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; 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 judgment.
  • 6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows.
  • 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
  • 8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the 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 tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
  • 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.
  • 12 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 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 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 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
  • 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 uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly.
  • 24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.