1孤傲者獨善其身，
他惱恨一切真知。
2愚人不喜歡悟性，
只喜歡發表意見。
3邪惡與藐視同行，
無恥與羞辱為伴。
4人口中的話如同深水，
智慧之泉像涓涓溪流。
5袒護惡人、冤枉義人都為不善。
6愚人說話引起紛爭，
他的口招來鞭打。
7愚人的口自招滅亡，
他的嘴坑害他自己。
8閒言碎語如同美食，
深入人的五臟六腑。
9懶惰人與毀壞者臭味相投。
10耶和華的名是堅固保障，
義人投奔其中就得安穩。
11財富是富人的堅城，
在他幻想中是高牆。
12驕傲是敗亡的前奏，
謙虛是尊榮的先鋒。
13未聽先答的人，
自顯愚昧和羞辱。
14人的心靈能忍受疾病，
誰能忍受破碎的心靈？
15哲士的心得知識，
智者的耳求知識。
16禮物為人開路，
領人晉見權貴。
17先告狀的看似有理，
一經對質真相大白。
18抽籤可以平息爭端，
調解強者間的糾紛。
19與結怨的兄弟和解比攻城還難，
爭端難破，如堅城的門閂。
20人因口中所說的話而飽足，
因嘴中所出的言語而滿足。
21口舌能夠定生死，
多嘴多言食惡果。
22得到妻子就是得到珍寶，
也是蒙了耶和華的恩惠。
23窮人哀聲懇求，
富人惡言相向。
24濫交友，自招損；
得知己，勝手足。
1A person who isn’t friendly looks out only for themselves.
They oppose all good sense by starting fights.
2Foolish people don’t want to understand.
They take delight in saying only what they think.
3People hate it when evil comes.
And they refuse to honor those who bring shame.
4The words of a person’s mouth are like deep water.
But the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5It isn’t good to favor those who do wrong.
That would keep justice from those who aren’t guilty.
6What foolish people say leads to arguing.
They are just asking for a beating.
7The words of foolish people drag them down.
They are trapped by what they say.
8The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food.
They go deep down inside you.
9Anyone who doesn’t want to work
is like someone who destroys.
10The name of the Lord is like a strong tower.
Godly people run to it and are safe.
11The wealth of rich people is like a city that makes them feel safe.
They think of it as a city with walls that can’t be climbed.
12If a person’s heart is proud, they will be destroyed.
So don’t be proud if you want to be honored.
13To answer before listening
is foolish and shameful.
14A cheerful spirit gives strength even during sickness.
But you can’t keep going if you have a broken spirit.
15Those whose hearts understand what is right get knowledge.
That’s because the ears of those who are wise listen for it.
16A gift opens the door
and helps the giver meet important people.
17In court, the first one to speak seems right.
Then someone else comes forward and questions him.
18Casting lots will put a stop to arguing.
It will keep the strongest enemies apart.
19A broken friendship is harder to handle than a city with high walls around it.
And arguing is like the locked gates of a mighty city.
20Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach.
What their words produce can satisfy them.
21Your tongue has the power of life and death.
Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words.
22The one who finds a wife finds what is good.
He receives favor from the Lord.
23Poor people beg for mercy.
But rich people answer in a mean way.
24A person with unfaithful friends soon comes to ruin.
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
