1 Whoever *[Jude 19]isolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only *ch. 13:16;[Eccles. 10:3]in expressing his opinion.

3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are *ch. 20:5deep waters;

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5 It is not good to *ch. 24:23;28:21;Lev. 19:15;Deut. 1:17;Ps. 82:2be partial to*18:5 Hebrew to lift the face of the wicked

or to *See ch. 17:15deprive the righteous of justice.

6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight,

and his mouth invites *See ch. 19:29a beating.

7 *ch. 10:14;12:13;13:3;Ps. 64:8;140:9;Eccles. 10:12A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 *ch. 26:22;[ch. 16:28] The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into *ch. 20:27the inner parts of the body.

9 Whoever is slack in his work

is a *[ch. 28:24]brother to him who destroys.

10 *See Ex. 34:5-7The name of the Lord is *Ps. 61:3;[Ps. 18:2]; See 2 Sam. 22:3a strong tower;

the righteous man runs into it and *[Ps. 20:1]is safe.

11 *See ch. 10:15A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

and like a high wall in his imagination.

12 *See ch. 11:2Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,

but *ch. 15:33humility comes before honor.

13 If one gives an answer *[John 7:51]before he hears,

it is his folly and shame.

14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

but *ch. 15:13a crushed spirit who can bear?

15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man’s *[Gen. 32:20;1 Sam. 25:27]; See ch. 17:8gift makes room for him

and brings him before the great.

17 The one who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

18 *[ch. 16:33]The lot puts an end to quarrels

and decides between powerful contenders.

19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,

and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

20 *See ch. 12:14From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;

he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

21 *Matt. 12:36,37;[ch. 4:23;12:13]Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

22 He who finds *ch. 12:4;19:14;See ch. 31:10-31a wife finds *[Gen. 2:18] a good thing

and *ch. 8:35obtains favor *ch. 19:14from the Lord.

23 The poor use entreaties,

but *[James 2:3,6]the rich answer roughly.

24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but *See ch. 17:17there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.