18 People who keep themselves separate, seek their own desires,

They reject sound wisdom.

2 Fools don’t enjoy learning,

^ but always like to make their opinions known.

3 When a wicked person arrives, contempt from others also comes,

≈ and when shame arrives, so does reproach.

4 The utterances from a person’s mouth are deep waters.

≈ A fountain of wisdom produces a flowing stream.

5 It’s not good to show partiality to the wicked

≈ or to deprive an innocent person of justice.

6 The fool’s lips brings strife,

≈ and the fool’s mouth invites a beating.

7 The fool’s mouth will bring ruin,

≈ and the lips of fools are a trap for their minds.

8 ‘News’ snippets from a gossip are like delicious snacks—

→ they get absorbed like food going down into your stomach.

9 The person who is slack in their work,

→ is a cousin to the one who destroys.

10 Yahweh’s name is a strong tower.

→ Godly people run into it to be safe.

11 The rich person’s wealth is like a fortified city,

≈ and in their imagination, like a high wall.

12 Before destruction hits, a person is proud,

^ but humility precedes honour.

13 Someone who answers before they’ve even listened

→ is being foolish and shameful.

14 A person’s spirit can endure through sickness,

^ but who can bear a crushed spirit?

15 Understanding people acquire knowledge,

≈ and wise people want information.

16 A person’s donation can make space for them,

≈ and it will give them access to important people.

17 The first person to state their case sounds right,

→ until their opponent cross-examines them.

18 Tossing a coin ends quarrels,

→ and it settles things between powerful people.

19 Someone who’s offended is as approachable as a fortified city,

≈ and quarrels are like the bars on a fortress.

20 The fruit of a person’s mouth satisfies their stomach,

≈ and they’ll be satisfied with the product of their lips.

21 The tongue has power over life and death,

→ and those who love using it will eat its fruit.

22 A man who finds a wife, finds a good thing,

→ and receives favour from Yahweh.

23 Poor people make requests,

^ but the rich person answers harshly.

24 A person with many companions will come to ruin,

^ but there is a companion that sticks closer than a brother.