1  Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2  A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only in expressing his opinion.

3  When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

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

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5  It is not good to be partial to¹ the ^pwicked

or to deprive the righteous of justice.

6  A fool’s lips walk into a fight,

and his mouth invites a beating.

7  ^qA fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a ^rsnare to his soul.

8  ^sThe words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

9  Whoever is slack in his work

is a brother to him who destroys.

10  The ^tname of the Lord is a ^ustrong tower;

the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

11  ^vA rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

and like a high wall in his imagination.

12  ^wBefore destruction a man’s heart is haughty,

but ^xhumility comes before honor.

13  If one gives an answer before he hears,

it is his folly and shame.

14  A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15  An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16  ^yA man’s gift makes room for him

and brings him before the great.

17  The one who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

18  ^zThe lot puts an end to quarrels

and decides between powerful contenders.

19  A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,

and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

20  ^aFrom the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;

he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

22  He who ^bfinds a wife finds a good thing

and obtains favor from the Lord.

23  The poor use entreaties,

but the rich answer roughly.

24  A man of many companions may come to ruin,

^cbut there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.