1: An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, And defies all sound judgment. 2: A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in broadcasting his own opinion. 3: When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, And with shame comes disgrace. 4: The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. 5: To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, Nor to deprive the innocent of justice. 6: A fool's lips come into strife, And his mouth invites beatings. 7: A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare to his soul. 8: The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: They go down into a person's innermost parts. 9: One who is slack in his work Is brother to him who is a master of destruction. 10: The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: The righteous run to him, and are safe. 11: The rich man's wealth is his strong city, Like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. 12: Before destruction the heart of man is proud, But before honor is humility. 13: He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him. 14: A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, But a crushed spirit who can bear? 15: The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16: A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. 17: He who pleads his cause first seems right; Until another comes and questions him. 18: The lot settles disputes, And keeps strong ones apart. 19: A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; And disputes are like the bars of a castle. 20: A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. 21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue; Those who love it will eat its fruit. 22: Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor of Yahweh. 23: The poor pleads for mercy, But the rich answers harshly. 24: A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.