1  Whoever ^yisolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2  A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only ^zin expressing his opinion.

3  When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

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

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5  It is not good to ^bbe partial to¹ the wicked

or to ^cdeprive the righteous of justice.

6  A fool’s lips walk into a fight,

and his mouth invites ^da beating.

7  ^eA fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8  ^fThe words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into ^gthe inner parts of the body.

9  Whoever is slack in his work

is a ^hbrother to him who destroys.

10  ⁱThe name of the Lord is ^ja strong tower;

the righteous man runs into it and ^kis safe.

11  ^lA rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

and like a high wall in his imagination.

12  ^mBefore destruction a man’s heart is haughty,

but ⁿhumility comes before honor.