1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may reveal itself. 3When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook. 5[It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6A fooles lips come with strife, & his mouth calleth for stripes. 7A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule. 8The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster. 10The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11The rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination. 12Before destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines. 13He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto him. 14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning. 16A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17[He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle. 20With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit of it. 22[Whoever] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour from the LORD. 23The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly. 24A man [that hath] friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.