1He who separates himself seeks [his own] desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.
1與眾寡合的，獨自尋求心願，並惱恨一切真智慧。
2A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.
2愚昧人不喜愛明哲，只喜愛顯露心意。
3When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor [comes] scorn.
3惡人來，藐視隨來；羞恥到，辱罵同到。
4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
4人口中的言語如同深水；智慧的泉源好像湧流的河水。
5To show partiality to the wicked is not good, [Nor] to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.
5瞻徇惡人的情面，偏斷義人的案件，都為不善。
6A fool's lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows.
6愚昧人張嘴啟爭端，開口招鞭打。
7A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
7愚昧人的口自取敗壞；他的嘴是他生命的網羅。
8The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
8傳舌人的言語如同美食，深入人的心腹。
9He also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys.
9做工懈怠的，與浪費人為弟兄。
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
10耶和華的名是堅固臺；義人奔入便得安穩。
11A rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.
11富足人的財物是他的堅城，在他心想，猶如高牆。
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility [goes] before honor.
12敗壞之先，人心驕傲；尊榮以前，必有謙卑。
13He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.
13未曾聽完先回答的，便是他的愚昧和羞辱。
14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But [as for] a broken spirit who can bear it?
14人有疾病，心能忍耐；心靈憂傷，誰能承當呢？
15The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
15聰明人的心得知識；智慧人的耳求知識。
16A man's gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.
16人的禮物為他開路，引他到高位的人面前。
17The first to plead his case [seems] right, [Until] another comes and examines him.
17先訴情由的，似乎有理；但鄰舍來到，就察出實情。
18The [cast] lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.
18掣籤能止息爭競，也能解散強勝的人。
19A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
19弟兄結怨，勸他和好，比取堅固城還難；這樣的爭競如同堅寨的門閂。
20With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied [with] the product of his lips.
20人口中所結的果子，必充滿肚腹；他嘴所出的，必使他飽足。
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
21生死在舌頭的權下，喜愛他的，必吃他所結的果子。
22He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD.
22得著賢妻的，是得著好處，也是蒙了耶和華的恩惠。
23The poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly.
23貧窮人說哀求的話；富足人用威嚇的話回答。
24A man of [too many] friends [comes] to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
24濫交朋友的，自取敗壞；但有一朋友比弟兄更親密。