1Whosoever goes astray seeks according to his own lust and shall meddle with every doctrine. 2A fool has no delight in understanding, but in that which his own heart discovers. 3When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with him who dishonours, reproach. 4The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook. 5To respect the person of the wicked so that the righteous loses that which is rightfully his is not good. 6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes. 7A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul. 8The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9He also that is negligent in his work is brother to him that is the great spendthrift. 10The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous shall run into it, and be raised up. 11The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city and as a high wall in his imagination. 12Before being broken, the heart of man is haughty, and before coming into honour, [comes] being brought to humility. 13[For] him that answers a word before he hears, it [is] folly and reproach unto him. 14The spirit of man will bear his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear? 15The heart of the man of understanding acquires wisdom, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men. 17The [one who is] just is first in his cause, his adversary comes and seeks 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 [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle. 20A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth, [and] with the product of his lips shall he be filled. 21Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat its fruit. 22[Whosoever] found a wife found a good [thing] and has attained the favour of the LORD. 23The poor uses intreaties, but the rich answer roughly. 24The man [that has] friends must show himself to be a friend, and there is a friend [that] sticks closer than a brother.: