The Selfishness of the Unfriendly

¹ He who isolates himself^* pursues selfish desires;

he rebels against all sound judgment.

² A fool does not delight in understanding,

but only in airing his opinions.

³ With a wicked man comes contempt as well,

and shame is accompanied by disgrace.

⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

⁵ Showing partiality to the wicked^* is not good,

nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

⁶ A fool’s lips bring him strife,

and his mouth invites a beating.

⁷ A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

⁸ The words of a gossip are like choice morsels

that go down into the inmost being.

⁹ Whoever is slothful in his work

is brother to him^* who destroys.

¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.

¹¹ A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;

it is like a high wall^* in his imagination.

¹² Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,

but humility comes before honor.

¹³ He who answers a matter before he hears it—

this is folly and disgrace to him.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man can endure^* his sickness,

but who can survive^* a broken spirit?

¹⁵ The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

¹⁶ A man’s gift opens doors for him,

and brings him before great men.

¹⁷ The first to state his case seems right

until another comes and cross-examines him.

¹⁸ Casting the lot ends quarrels

and separates strong opponents.

¹⁹ An offended^* brother is harder to win than a fortified^* city,

and disputes are like the bars^* of a castle.

²⁰ From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled;

with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Life and death 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 pleads for mercy,

but the rich man answers harshly.

²⁴ A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.