18 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

² A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

³ When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

⁴ The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

⁵ It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

⁶ A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

⁷ A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

⁸ The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

⁹ He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

¹¹ The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

¹³ He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

¹⁵ The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

¹⁶ A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

¹⁷ He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

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.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²² Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

²³ The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

²⁴ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

³ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

⁴ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.