1 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding,
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,
and along with dishonor, derision.
4 The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,†
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.†
5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty,†
denying an innocent person justice.†
6 A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.†
7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.†
8 A gossip’s words are like choice food
9 The one who is lazy in his work
11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.†
12 Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud,†
but humility comes before honor.†
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens —
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.†
14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?†
15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.†
16 A person’s gift opens doors† for him
and brings him before the great.†
17 The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.†
18 Casting the lot† ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.
19 An offended brother is harder to reach†
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.†
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.†
22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing†
and obtains favor from the Lord.†
but the rich one answers roughly.†
24 One with many friends may be harmed,†
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.†