18¹ He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.

² A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

³ When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

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

⁵ It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.

⁶ A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes. ⁷ A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

⁸ The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

⁹ He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.

¹⁰ The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

¹¹ The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.

¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.

¹³ He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

¹⁵ The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

¹⁶ A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

¹⁷ He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.

²⁰ A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.

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

²² Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.

²³ He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.

²⁴ A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.

Exhortations to Obedience

3¹ My son, forget not my teaching, and let thy heart observe my commandments; ² for length of days, and years of life, and peace shall they add to thee. ³ Let not loving-kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the tablet of thy heart: ⁴ and thou shalt find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. ⁵ Confide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence; ⁶ in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths.

⁷ Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear Jehovah, and depart from evil: ⁸ it shall be health for thy navel, and moisture for thy bones. ⁹ Honour Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase; ¹⁰ so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine. ¹¹ My son, despise not the instruction of Jehovah, neither be weary of his chastisement; ¹² for whom Jehovah loveth he chasteneth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

¹³ Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. ¹⁴ For the gain thereof is better than the gain of silver, and her revenue than fine gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not equal unto her. ¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand riches and honour. ¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is he that retaineth her. ¹⁹ Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens. ²⁰ By his knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

²¹ My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion: ²² so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy neck. ²³ Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble; ²⁴ when thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid, but thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet. ²⁵ Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh; ²⁶ for Jehovah shall be thy confidence, and he will keep thy foot from being taken.

²⁷ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it. ²⁸ Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give, when thou hast it by thee. ²⁹ Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. ³⁰ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. ³¹ Envy not the man of violence, and choose none of his ways. ³² For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; but his secret is with the upright. ³³ The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; but he blesseth the habitation of the righteous. ³⁴ He indeed scorneth the scorners; but he giveth grace unto the lowly. ³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of the foolish.