Read the Bible

¹ He that separates himself seeks [his own] desire, And rages against all sound wisdom.

² A fool has no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

³ When the wicked comes, there comes also contempt, And with ignominy [comes] reproach.

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

⁵ To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

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

⁸ The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

⁹ He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

¹⁰ The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it, and is safe.

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

¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goes] humility.

¹³ He that gives answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?

¹⁵ The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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

¹⁷ He that pleads his cause first [seems] just; But his neighbor comes and searches him out.

¹⁸ The lot causes contentions to cease, And parts between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city; And [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And those that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²² Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor of Yahweh.

²³ The poor uses entreaties; But the rich answers roughly.

²⁴ He that makes many friends [does it] to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.