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1One who is alienated seeks a pretext,
with all persistence picks a quarrel.
2Fools take no delight in understanding,
but only in displaying what they think.
3With wickedness comes contempt,
and with disgrace, scorn.
4The words of one’s mouth are deep waters,
the spring of wisdom, a running brook.
5It is not good to favor the guilty,
nor to reject the claim of the just.
6The lips of fools walk into a fight,
and their mouths are asking for a beating.
7The mouths of fools are their ruin;
their lips are a deadly snare.
8The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels:
they sink into one’s inmost being.
9Those slack in their work
are kin to the destroyer.
10The name of the Lord is a strong tower;[#Contrast this judgment with the observation in 10:15.]
the just run to it and are safe.
11The wealth of the rich is their strong city;[#Prv 10:15.]
they fancy it a high wall.
12Before disaster the heart is haughty,[#Prv 11:2; 16:18; Sir 10:15.]
but before honor is humility.
13Whoever answers before listening,[#Sir 11:8.]
theirs is folly and shame.
14One’s spirit supports one when ill,
but a broken spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16Gifts clear the way for people,
winning access to the great.
17Those who plead the case first seem to be in the right;
then the opponent comes and cross-examines them.
18The lot puts an end to disputes,
and decides a controversy between the mighty.
19A brother offended is more unyielding than a stronghold;
such strife is more daunting than castle gates.
20With the fruit of one’s mouth one’s belly is filled,
with the produce of one’s lips one is sated.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue;[#Sir 37:18.]
those who choose one shall eat its fruit.
22To find a wife is to find happiness,
a favor granted by the Lord .
23The poor implore,
but the rich answer harshly.
24There are friends who bring ruin,
but there are true friends more loyal than a brother.