The Proverbs

 1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

 4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep ^awaters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

 5 It is not good to accept the ^aperson of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

 6 A fool’s lips enter into ^acontention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

 7 A fool’s ^amouth is his ^bdestruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

 8 The words of a ^atalebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

 9 He also that is ^aslothful in his work is brother to him that is a great ^bwaster.

 10 The name of the Lord is a strong ^atower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

 11 The ^arich man’s ^bwealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

 12 Before destruction the heart of man is ^ahaughty, and before honour is ^bhumility.

 13 He that ^aanswereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

 15 The heart of the ^aprudent getteth ^bknowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

 16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

 17 He that is ^afirst in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

 18 The ^alot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

 19 A ^abrother ^boffended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their ^ccontentions are like the bars of a castle.

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

 21 Death and life are in the power of the ^atongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

 22 ^aWhoso findeth a ^bwife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

 23 The ^apoor useth ^bentreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a ^afriend that sticketh closer than a ^bbrother.