| 1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. | 1 Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times. |
| 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. | 2 The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart. |
| 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. | 3 The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him. |
| 4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. | 4 Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing. |
| 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. | 5 It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment. |
| 6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. | 6 The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts. |
| 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. | 7 The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul. |
| 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. | 8 The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry. |
| 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. | 9 Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works. |
| 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. | 10 The name of the Lord is very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted. |
| 11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. | 11 The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him. |
| 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. | 12 The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified. |
| 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. | 13 Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion. |
| 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? | 14 The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered? |
| 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. | 15 A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine. |
| 16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. | 16 A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders. |
| 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. | 17 The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him. |
| 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. | 18 Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful. |
| 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. | 19 A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities. |
| 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. | 20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him. |
| 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. | 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits. |
| 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. | 22 He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious. |
| 23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. | 23 The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly. |
| 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. | 24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother. |