1He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,

And snarlest against all sound wisdom.

2A fool hath no delight in understanding,

But only that his heart may lay itself bare.

3When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,

And with ignominy reproach.

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

A flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.

5It is not good to respect the person of the wicked,

So as to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6A fool’s lips enter into contention,

And his mouth calleth for strokes.

7A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9Even one that is slack in his work

Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

10The name of the Lord is a strong tower:

The righteous runneth into it, and is set up on high.

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

And as a high wall in his own conceit.

12Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,

And before honour goeth humility.

13He that giveth answer before he heareth,

It is folly and confusion unto him.

14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

But a broken spirit who can bear?

15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;

And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16A man’s gift maketh room for him,

And bringeth him before great men.

17He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;

But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.

18The lot causeth strife to cease,

And parteth asunder the contentious.

19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city;

And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;

With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

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

And they that indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a great good,

And obtaineth favour of the Lord.

23The poor useth entreaties;

But the rich answereth impudently.

24There are friends that one hath to his own hurt;

But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.