18 ¹Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. ²A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. ³When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. ⁴The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. ⁵It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. ⁶A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. ⁷A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. ⁸The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ⁹He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. ¹⁰The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. ¹¹The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. ¹²Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. ¹³He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. ¹⁴The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? ¹⁵The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. ¹⁶A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. ¹⁷He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. ¹⁸The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. ¹⁹A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. ²⁰A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. ²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. ²²Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. ²³The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. ²⁴A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

19 ¹Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. ²Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. ³The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. ⁴Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. ⁵A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. ⁶Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. ⁷All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. ⁸He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. ⁹A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. ¹⁰Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. ¹¹The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. ¹²The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. ¹³A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. ¹⁴House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. ¹⁵Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. ¹⁶He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. ¹⁷He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. ¹⁸Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. ¹⁹A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. ²⁰Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. ²¹There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. ²²The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. ²³The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. ²⁴A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. ²⁵Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. ²⁶He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. ²⁷Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. ²⁸An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. ²⁹Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.