18¹ He who separates himself seeks his own desire , He quarrels against all sound wisdom .

² A fool does not delight in understanding , But only in revealing his own mind .

³ When a wicked man comes , contempt also comes , And with dishonor comes scorn .

⁴ The words of a man's mouth are deep waters ; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook .

⁵ To show partiality e to the wicked is not good , Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment .

⁶ A fool's lips bring strife , And his mouth calls for blows . ⁷ A fool's mouth is his ruin , And his lips are the snare of his soul .

⁸ The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels , And they go down into the innermost parts of the body .

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

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

¹¹ A rich man's wealth is his strong city , And like a high wall in his own imagination .

¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty , But humility goes before honor .

¹³ He who gives an answer before he hears , It is folly and shame to him.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man can endure his sickness , But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?

¹⁵ The mind of the prudent 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 The first to plead his case seems right , Until another comes and examines him.

¹⁸ The cast lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city , And contentions are like the bars of a citadel .

²⁰ With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied ; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips .

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

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

²³ The poor man utters supplications , But the rich man answers roughly .

²⁴ A man of too many friends comes to ruin , 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 peace they will add to you. ³ Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around 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 lean on your own understanding . ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight .

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes ; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil . ⁸ It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones . ⁹ Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce ; ¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine . ¹¹ My son , do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof , ¹² For whom the Lord loves He reproves , Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights .

¹³ How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding . ¹⁴ For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold . ¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels ; And nothing e you desire compares with her. ¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand ; In her left hand are riches and honor . ¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace . ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast . ¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom founded the earth , By understanding He established the heavens . ²⁰ By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew .

²¹ My son , let them not vanish from your sight ; Keep sound wisdom and discretion , ²² So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck . ²³ Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble . ²⁴ When you lie down , you will not be afraid ; When you lie down , your sleep will be sweet . ²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught 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 back , And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. ²⁹ Do not devise harm against your neighbor , While he lives securely beside you. ³⁰ Do not contend with a man without cause , If 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 devious are an abomination to the Lord ; But He is intimate with the upright . ³³ The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked , But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous . ³⁴ Though He scoffs at the scoffers , Yet He gives grace to the afflicted . ³⁵ The wise will inherit honor , But fools display dishonor .