1He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom. 2A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself. 3When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach. 4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. 5To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, [nor] to turn aside a righteous man in judgment. 6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes. 7A fool's mouth is his destruction, 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. 9He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer. 10The name of LORD is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe. 11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination. 12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor [is] humility. 13He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him. 14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear? 15The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. 17He who pleads his case first [seems] just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out. 18The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty. 19A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city, and [such] 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 he shall be satisfied. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it. 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from LORD. 23A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly. 24He who makes many friends [does it] to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.