18 He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.
² 
A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].
³ 
When the wicked man comes [to the depth of evil], contempt [of all that is pure and good] also comes,
And with inner baseness (dishonor) comes outer shame (scorn).
⁴ 
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];
The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].
⁵ 
To show respect to the wicked person is not good,
Nor to push aside and deprive the righteous of justice.
⁶ 
A fool’s lips bring contention and strife,
And his mouth invites a beating.
⁷ 
A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
⁸ 
The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];
They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].
⁹ 
He who is careless in his work
Is a brother to him who destroys.
¹⁰ 
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].
¹¹ 
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall [of protection] in his own imagination and conceit.
¹² 
Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance,
But humility comes before honor.
¹³ 
He who answers before he hears [the facts]—
It is folly and shame to him.^(A)
14 
The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness,
But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it?
¹⁵ 
The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise [always] seeks knowledge.
¹⁶ 
A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him
And brings him before great men.^(B)
17 
The first one to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and cross-examines him.
^18 
[a]To cast lots puts an end to quarrels
And decides between powerful contenders.
¹⁹ 
A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city,
And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.
²⁰ 
A man’s stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;
He will be satisfied with the consequence of his words.
²¹ 
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.^(C)
22 
He who finds a [^[b]true and faithful] wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor and approval from the Lord.^(D)
23 
The poor man pleads,
But the rich man answers roughly.
²⁴ 
The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin,
But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.