1 Whosoever goes astray seeks according to his own lust and shall meddle with every doctrine. 2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but in that which his own heart discovers. 3 When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with him who dishonours, reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 To respect the person of the wicked so that the righteous loses that which is rightfully his is not good. 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 seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is negligent in his work is brother to him that is the great spendthrift. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous shall run into it, and be raised up. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city and as a high wall in his imagination. 12 Before 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. 14 The spirit of man will bear his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the man of understanding acquires wisdom, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men. 17 The one who is just is first in his cause, his adversary comes and seeks him out. 18 The lot causes contentions to cease and decides 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 shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth, and with the product of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death 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. 23 The poor uses intreaties, but the rich answer roughly. 24 The man that has friends must show himself to be a friend, and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.