18¹ He who is estranged seeks pretexts to break out against all sound judgment.

² A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

³ When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.

⁴ The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.

⁵ It is not good to be partial to a wicked man, or to deprive a righteous man of justice.

⁶ A fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth invites a flogging. ⁷ A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself.

⁸ The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

⁹ He who is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

¹¹ A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall protecting him.

¹² Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor.

¹³ If one gives answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

¹⁴ A man's spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit who can bear?

¹⁵ An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and 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 states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

¹⁸ The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.

¹⁹ A brother helped is like a strong city, but quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.

²³ The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

²⁴ There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Exhortations to Obedience

3¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; ² for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. ³ Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. ⁸ It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. ⁹ Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; ¹⁰ then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. ¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, ¹² for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding, ¹⁴ for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. ¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. ¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; ²⁰ by his knowledge the deeps broke forth, and the clouds drop down the dew.

²¹ My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion; let them not escape from your sight, ²² and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. ²³ Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. ²⁴ If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. ²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes; ²⁶ for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. ²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" --when you have it with you. ²⁹ Do not plan evil against your neighbor who dwells trustingly beside you. ³⁰ Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. ³¹ Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways; ³² for the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. ³³ The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous. ³⁴ Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor. ³⁵ The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.