Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
1 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 asideanddeprive the righteous of justice.
6 A fool’s lips bring contentionandstrife,
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 Lordis a strong tower;
The righteous runs to it and is safeandset 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 imaginationandconceit.
12 Before disaster the heart of a man is haughtyandfilled with self-importance,
But humility comes before honor.
13 He who answers before he hears [the facts]–
It is folly and shame to him.
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.
17 The first one to plead his case seems right,
Untilanother comes and cross-examines him.
18 To cast lots puts an end to quarrels
And decides between powerful contenders.
19 A brother offendedis harder to winover 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 itandindulge it will eat its fruitandbear the consequences of their words.
22 He who finds a [true and faithful] wife finds a good thing
And obtains favorandapproval from the Lord.
23 The poor man pleads,
But the rich man answers roughly.
24 The man oftoo manyfriends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in piecesandcome to ruin,
But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.