1He who separates himself seeks his own desire,

He breaks out in dispute against all sound wisdom.

2A fool does not delight in discernment,

But only in revealing his own heart.

3When a wicked man comes, despising also comes,

And with disgrace comes reproach.

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

[†]The fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.

5To show partiality to the wicked is not good,

Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.

6A fool’s lips come with strife,

And his mouth calls for beatings.

7A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,

And they go down into the [†]innermost parts of the stomach.

9He also who is slack in his work

Is brother to him who destroys.

10The name of Yahweh is a strong tower;

The righteous runs into it and is set securely on high.

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

And like a high wall in his own delusion.

12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,

But humility goes before glory.

13He who responds with a word before he hears,

It is folly and shame to him.

14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,

But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it?

15The heart of the understanding acquires knowledge,

And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16A man’s gift makes room for him

And leads him into the presence of great men.

17The first [†]to plead his case seems right,

Until [†]another comes and examines him.

18The cast lot puts an end to contentions

And [†]decides between the mighty ones.

19A brother offended is harder to win over than a strong city,

And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

20From the [†]fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;

With the produce of his lips he will be satisfied.

21Death and life are in the [†]power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

22He who finds a wife finds a good thing

And obtains favor from Yahweh.

23The poor man speaks supplications,

But the rich man answers with strong words.

24A man of too many friends comes to [†]ruin,

But there is a [†]friend who sticks closer than a brother.