He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,
And rageth against all sound wisdom.
A fool hath no delight in understanding,
But only that his heart may reveal itself.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,
And with ignominy cometh reproach.
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
To respect the person of the wicked is not good,
Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calleth for stripes.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts.
He also that is slack in his work
Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower;
The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And as a high wall in his own imagination.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty;
And before honor goeth humility.
He that giveth answer before he heareth,
It is folly and shame unto him.
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
But a broken spirit who can bear?
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;
And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
A man’s gift maketh room for him,
And bringeth him before great men.
He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;
But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
The lot causeth contentions to cease,
And parteth between the mighty.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city;
And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;
With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
The poor useth entreaties;
But the rich answereth roughly.
He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction;
But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
