1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding,
# But in expressing hisown heart.
3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonorcomesreproach.
4 The words of a man’s moutharedeep waters;
# The wellspring of wisdomisa flowing brook.
5 Itisnot good to show partiality to the wicked,
# Orto overthrow the righteous injudgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool’s mouthishis destruction,
# And his lipsarethe snare of hissoul.
8 The words of a talebearerarelike tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of theLordisa strongtower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man’s wealthishis strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honorishumility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hearsit,
Itisfolly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.
17 The firstoneto plead his causeseemsright,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18 Castinglots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
19 A brother offendedishardertowinthan a strong city,
And contentionsarelike the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
Fromthe produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 Death and lifearein the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Hewhofinds a wife finds a goodthing,
And obtains favor from theLord.
23 The poormanuses entreaties,
# But the rich answersroughly.
24 A manwhohasfriends must himself be friendly,
# But there is a friendwhosticks closer than a brother.