1 People who do not get along with others are interested only in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right.
2 A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is.
3 Sin and shame go together. Lose your honor, and you will get scorn in its place.
4 A person's words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream.
5 It is not right to favor the guilty and keep the innocent from receiving justice.
6 When some fool starts an argument, he is asking for a beating.
7 When a fool speaks, he is ruining himself; he gets caught in the trap of his own words.
8 Gossip is so tasty—how we love to swallow it!
9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who is destructive.
10 The Lord is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe. 11 Rich people, however, imagine that their wealth protects them like high, strong walls around a city.
12 No one is respected unless he is humble; arrogant people are on the way to ruin.
13 Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting.
14 Your will to live can sustain you when you are sick, but if you lose it, your last hope is gone.
15 Intelligent people are always eager and ready to learn.
16 Do you want to meet an important person? Take a gift and it will be easy.
17 The first person to speak in court always seems right until his opponent begins to question him.
18 If two powerful people are opposing each other in court, casting lots can settle the issue.
19 Help your relatives and they will protect you like a strong city wall, but if you quarrel with them, they will close their doors to you.
20 You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. 21 What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.
22 Find a wife and you find a good thing; it shows that the Lord is good to you.
23 When the poor speak, they have to be polite, but when the rich answer, they are rude.
24 Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
1 For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome. 2 A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered. 3 When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch. 4 The words of a mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement. 6 A fooles lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes. 7 A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule. 8 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly. 9 He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster. 10 The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is exalted. 11 The rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination. 12 Before destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines. 13 He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto him. 14 The spirit of a man will susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare it? 15 A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning. 16 A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men. 17 He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie. 19 A brother offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace. 20 With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof. 22 He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord. 23 The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then a brother.