Proverbs

1He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.

2A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.

3The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.

4Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.

5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.

6The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.

7The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.

8The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.

9He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.

10The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.

11The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.

12Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.

13He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.

14The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?

15A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.

16A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.

17The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.

18The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.

19A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.

20Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.

21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.

22He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.

23The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.

24A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.

The Selfishness of the Unfriendly

1He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;he rebels against all sound judgment.

2A fool does not delight in understanding,but only in airing his opinions.

3With a wicked man comes contempt as well,and shame is accompanied by disgrace.

4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5Showing partialityto the wicked is not good,nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

6A fool’s lips bring him strife,and his mouth invites a beating.

7A fool’s mouth is his ruin,and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8The words of a gossip are like choice morselsthat go down into the inmost being.

9Whoever is slothful in his workis brother to him who destroys.

10The name of the LORD is a strong tower;the righteous run to itand are safe.

11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;it is like a high wall in his imagination.

12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,but humility comes before honor.

13He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.

14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,but who can survive a broken spirit?

15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

16A man’s gift opens doors for him,and brings him before great men.

17The first to state his case seems rightuntil another comes and cross-examines him.

18Casting the lot ends quarrelsand separates strong opponents.

19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city,and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled;with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

21Life and death are in the power of the tongue,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22He who finds a wife finds a good thingand obtains favor from the LORD.

23The poor man pleads for mercy,but the rich man answers harshly.

24A man of many companions may come to ruin,but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.