[1] He who is separated seeks [his own] desire, || He interferes with all wisdom. [2] A fool does not delight in understanding, || But in uncovering his heart. [3] Contempt has also come with the coming of the wicked, || And with shame—reproach. [4] The words of a man’s mouth [are] deep waters, || The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook. [5] Favoring of the face of the wicked [is] not good, || To turn aside the righteous in judgment. [6] The lips of a fool enter into strife, || And his mouth calls for stripes. [7] The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, || And his lips [are] the snare of his soul. [8] The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, || And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart. [9] He also that is remiss in his work, || He [is] a brother to a destroyer. [10] The Name of YHWH [is] a tower of strength, || The righteous runs into it, and is set on high. [11] The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, || And as a wall set on high in his own imagination. [12] The heart of man is high before destruction, || And humility [is] before honor. [13] Whoever is answering a matter before he hears, || It is folly to him—and shame. [14] The spirit of a man sustains his sickness, || And who bears a struck spirit? [15] The heart of the intelligent gets knowledge, || And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. [16] The gift of a man makes room for him, || And it leads him before the great. [17] The first in his own cause [seems] righteous, || [But] his neighbor comes and has searched him. [18] The lot causes contentions to cease, || And it separates between the mighty. [19] A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, || And contentions as the bar of a palace. [20] From the fruit of a man’s mouth is his belly satisfied, || [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied. [21] Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, || And those loving it eat its fruit. [22] [Whoever] has found a wife has found good, || And brings out goodwill from YHWH. [23] The poor speaks [with] supplications, || And the rich answers fierce things. [24] A man with friends—to show himself friendly, || And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
