1 | An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. |
2 | A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. |
3 | When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace. |
4 | The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. |
5 | To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice. |
6 | A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. |
7 | A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul. |
8 | The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person's innermost parts. |
9 | One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. |
10 | The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. |
11 | The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. |
12 | Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. |
13 | He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. |
14 | A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear? |
15 | The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. |
16 | A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. |
17 | He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him. |
18 | The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart. |
19 | A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a castle. |
20 | A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. |
21 | Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. |
22 | Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. |
23 | The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. |
24 | A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |