Read the Bible

¹ A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

² A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.

³ When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach.

⁴ The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

⁵ It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

⁶ A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. ⁷ A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

⁸ The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, [fn] And they go down into the inmost body.

⁹ He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

¹¹ The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.

¹² Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor 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 will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?

¹⁵ The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

¹⁶ A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

¹⁷ The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

¹⁸ Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.

²³ The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly.

²⁴ 24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, [fn] But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.