1. The separatist seeks his own desire; He breaks out against all sound wisdom.
2. A fool does not delight in understanding, But in uncovering his own heart.
3. When a wrong one comes, scorn comes too. And with shame comes reproach.
4. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
5. It is not good to show partiality to the wrong, Or to turn aside the righteous in right-ruling.
6. A fool’s lips enter into strife, And his mouth calls for blows.
7. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his life.
8. The words of a slanderer are like delicacies, And they go down into the inner parts of the heart.
9. Also, he who is slack in his work Is a brother of a master destroyer.
10. The Name of יהוה is a strong tower; The righteous run into it and are safe.
11. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.
12. Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before esteem is humility.
13. He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
14. The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness, But who does bear a broken spirit?
15. The heart of the understanding one gets knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.