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 respect 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. ⁹ He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer. ¹⁰ The name of Jehovah 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 imagination. ¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor 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 neighbor 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 favor of Jehovah. 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.