Proverbs

¹ he defies all sound judgment.

² but delights in airing his own opinions.

³ and with shame comes disgrace.

⁴ but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

⁵ or to deprive the innocent of justice.

⁶ and his mouth invites a beating.

⁷ and his lips are a snare to his soul.

⁸ they go down to a man’s inmost parts.

⁹ is brother to one who destroys.

¹⁰ the righteous run to it and are safe.

¹¹ they imagine it an unscalable wall.

¹² but humility comes before honor.

¹³ that is his folly and his shame.

¹⁴ but a crushed spirit who can bear?

¹⁵ the ears of the wise seek it out.

¹⁶ and ushers him into the presence of the great.

¹⁷ till another comes forward and questions him.

¹⁸ and keeps strong opponents apart.

¹⁹ and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

²⁰ with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ and those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² and receives favor from the Lord.

²³ but a rich man answers harshly.

²⁴ but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.