Bible Reading Plan

¹ One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.

² A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.^[a](a)

³ When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,
and along with dishonor, disgrace.

⁴ The words of a man's mouth are deep waters,^(b)
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.^[b]

⁵ It is not good to show partiality to the guilty^(c)
by perverting the justice due the innocent.^(d)

⁶ A fool's lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.^(e)

⁷ A fool's mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.^(f)

⁸ A gossip's words are like choice food
that goes down to one's innermost being.^[c](g)

⁹ The one who is truly lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal.^[d](h)

¹⁰ The name of Yahweh is a strong tower;⁽ⁱ⁾
the righteous run to it and are protected.^[e](j)

¹¹ A rich man's wealth is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.^(k)

¹² Before his downfall a man's heart is proud,^(l)
but humility comes before honor.^(m)

¹³ The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.⁽ⁿ⁾

¹⁴ A man's spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?^(o)

¹⁵ The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.^(p)

¹⁶ A gift opens doors^[f] for a man
and brings him before the great.^(q)

¹⁷ The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.^(r)

¹⁸ Casting the lot^(s) ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.

¹⁹ An offended brother is harder to reach^[g]
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰ From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.^(t)

²¹ Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.^(u)

²² A man who finds a wife finds a good thing^(v)
and obtains favor from the Lord .^(w)

²³ The poor man pleads,^(x)
but the rich one answers roughly.^(y)

²⁴ A man with many friends may be harmed,^[h]
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.^(z)