18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

² Fools find no pleasure in understanding
    but delight in airing their own opinions.^(A)

³ When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
    and with shame comes reproach.

⁴ The words of the mouth are deep waters,^(B)
    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

⁵ It is not good to be partial to the wicked^(C)
    and so deprive the innocent of justice.^(D)

⁶ The lips of fools bring them strife,
    and their mouths invite a beating.^(E)

⁷ The mouths of fools are their undoing,
    and their lips are a snare^(F) to their very lives.^(G)

⁸ The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.^(H)

⁹ One who is slack in his work
    is brother to one who destroys.^(I)

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;^(J)
    the righteous run to it and are safe.^(K)

¹¹ The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;^(L)
    they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

¹² Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
    but humility comes before honor.^(M)

¹³ To answer before listening—
    that is folly and shame.^(N)

¹⁴ The human spirit can endure in sickness,
    but a crushed spirit who can bear?^(O)

¹⁵ The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,^(P)
    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

¹⁶ A gift^(Q) opens the way
    and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

¹⁷ In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
    until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

¹⁸ Casting the lot settles disputes^(R)
    and keeps strong opponents apart.

¹⁹ A brother wronged^(S) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

²⁰ From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
    with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.^(T)

²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death,^(U)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.^(V)

²² He who finds a wife finds what is good^(W)
    and receives favor from the Lord.^(X)

²³ The poor plead for mercy,
    but the rich answer harshly.

²⁴ One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.^(Y)

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.^(A)

² From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,^(B)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

³ Those who guard their lips^(C) preserve their lives,^(D)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.^(E)

⁴ A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,^(F)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

⁵ The righteous hate what is false,^(G)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

⁶ Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.^(H)

⁷ One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;^(I)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.^(J)

⁸ A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.^(K)

⁹ The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.^(L)

¹⁰ Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.^(M)

¹¹ Dishonest money dwindles away,^(N)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.^(O)

¹³ Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,^(P)
    but whoever respects^(Q) a command is rewarded.^(R)

¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,^(S)
    turning a person from the snares of death.^(T)

¹⁵ Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.^[a]

¹⁶ All who are prudent act with^[b] knowledge,
    but fools expose^(U) their folly.^(V)

¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,^(W)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.^(X)

¹⁸ Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,^(Y)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.^(Z)

¹⁹ A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,^(AA)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

²⁰ Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.^(AB)

²¹ Trouble pursues the sinner,^(AC)
    but the righteous^(AD) are rewarded with good things.^(AE)

²² A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.^(AF)

²³ An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

²⁴ Whoever spares the rod^(AG) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline^(AH) them.^(AI)

²⁵ The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.^(AJ)