CLV(i)
1 He shall seek for a pretext who wishes to be parted from friends; Against all sagacity shall he rail.
2 The stupid man does not delight in comprehension, But rather in exposing his heart to others."
3 When wickedness comes, so also comes contempt, And with dishonor comes reproach."
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a watercourse bubbling forth.
5 To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Or to turn aside the righteous in judgment."
6 The lips of a stupid man bring him into contention, And his mouth calls for beatings."
7 The mouth of a stupid man is his undoing, And his lips are a trap for his soul."
8 The words of a babbler are like tidbits; They descend to the chambers of one's belly.
9 One who is slack in his work, He is brother to a ruinous person."
10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; The righteous one runs to it and is made impregnable.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong town, And in his fancy it is like an impregnable wall."
12 The heart of a man is haughty before a breaking, Yet humility comes before glory."
13 He who replies with speech ere he has heard, It is folly to him and confounding."
14 A man's spirit sustains him in his illness, Yet a despondent spirit, who can bear it?
15 The heart of one who understands acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."
16 A man's gift widens the way for him, And guides him before the great."
17 The first pleader seems right in his contention Until his associate comes and investigates him.
18 Casting the lot causes quarrels to cease, And keeps staunch foes apart."
19 A brother transgressed against is more unyielding than a strong town, And quarrels are like bars of a citadel."
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth, his belly is satisfied; He must be satisfied with the yield from his lips."
21 Death and life lie in the hand of the tongue, And they who love to use it must eat its fruit."
22 If one finds a wife he finds good, And he gains hold of benevolence from Yahweh."
23 One who is destitute speaks with supplications, Yet the rich man responds with roughness."
24 There are associates disposed to be evildoers, Yet there is one with love more loyal than a brother's."