1: For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth. 2: A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart. 3: With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach. 4: Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook. 5: Acceptance 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 for stripes calleth. 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, A brother he [is] to a destroyer. 10: A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, 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: Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility. 13: Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame. 14: The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear? 15: The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16: The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him. 17: Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him. 18: The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth. 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: [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. 24: A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!