¹ Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom. ² A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. ³ When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy rebuke. ⁴ The 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. ⁶ A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes. ⁷ A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. ⁸ The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ⁹ He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him who is a great waste. ¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe. ¹¹ The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit. ¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. ¹³ He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. ¹⁴ The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity but a wounded spirit who can bear? ¹⁵ The heart of the prudent gets knowledge and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. ¹⁶ A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. ¹⁷ He that is first in his own cause seems just but his neighbour comes and searches him. ¹⁸ The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty. ¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. ²⁰ A man's belly will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth and with the increase of his lips will he be filled. ²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and those love it will eat the fruit of it. ²² Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD. ²³ The poor uses intreaties but the rich answers roughly. ²⁴ A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.