1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach.4 Deep waters [are] the words of a man`s mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.7 The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.8 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.11 The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.20 From the fruit of a man`s mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!

1 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, and rageth against all sound wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy cometh reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook. 5 To accept the person of the wicked is not good, nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment. 6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty, morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer. 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 an high wall in his own imagination. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour goeth humility. 13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a broken 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 pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out. 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 such contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied. 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 entreaties: but the rich answereth roughly. 24 He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction: but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.