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18The one who lives alone is self-indulgent,
showing contempt for all who have sound judgment.
²A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing personal opinion.
³When wickedness comes, contempt comes also;
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
⁴The words of the mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
⁵It is not right to be partial to the guilty,
or to subvert the innocent in judgment.
⁶A fool’s lips bring strife,
and a fool’s mouth invites a flogging.
⁷The mouths of fools are their ruin,
and their lips a snare to themselves.
⁸The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
⁹One who is slack in work
is close kin to a vandal.
¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run into it and are safe.
¹¹The wealth of the rich is their strong city;
in their imagination it is like a high wall.
¹²Before destruction one’s heart is haughty,
but humility goes before honor.
¹³If one gives answer before hearing,
it is folly and shame.
¹⁴The human spirit will endure sickness;
but a broken spirit—who can bear?
¹⁵An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
¹⁶A gift opens doors;
it gives access to the great.
¹⁷The one who first states a case seems right,
until the other comes and cross-examines.
¹⁸Casting the lot puts an end to disputes
and decides between powerful contenders.
¹⁹An ally offended is stronger than a city;
such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
²⁰From the fruit of the mouth one’s stomach is satisfied;
the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.
²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
²²He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
and obtains favor from the Lord.
²³The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.
²⁴Some friends play at friendship
but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.