Proverbs

1For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.

2A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.

3With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.

4Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.

5Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.

7The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

8The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.

9He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.

10A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.

11The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.

12Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.

13Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.

14The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?

15The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.

17Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.

18The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.

19A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.

20From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.

21Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.

22[Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

23[With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.

24A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more 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.