Verse 1
¶ Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Verse 2
¶ A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Verse 3
¶ When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
Verse 4
¶ The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
Verse 5
¶ [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Verse 6
¶ A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Verse 7
A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
Verse 8
¶ The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Verse 9
¶ He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Verse 10
¶ The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Verse 11
¶ The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Verse 12
¶ Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.
Verse 13
¶ He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
Verse 14
¶ The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Verse 15
¶ The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Verse 16
¶ A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Verse 17
¶ [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Verse 18
¶ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Verse 19
¶ A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.
Verse 20
¶ A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Verse 21
¶ Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Verse 22
¶ [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Verse 23
¶ The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Verse 24
¶ A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.