1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh

And intermeddleth with all wisdom.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding,

But that his heart may discover itself.

3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt,

And with ignominy reproach.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters,

And the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked,

To overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention,

And his mouth calleth for strokes.

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds,

And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 He also that is slothful in his work

Is brother to him that is a great waster.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower:

The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

And as a high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,

And before honour is humility.

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it,

It is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

But a wounded spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;

And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man’s gift maketh room for him,

And bringeth him before great men.

17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just;

But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease,

And parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city:

And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;

And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue:

And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,

And obtaineth favour of the Lord.

23 The poor useth intreaties;

But the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:

And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.