1 ARST People who avoid other people only care about doing what they want to do. They refuse to do anything that is wise. BSB BSB: He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 ARST Foolish people hate{ learning} what they should understand. Instead, they only like to tell others what they think. BSB BSB: A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 ARST People treat wicked people contemptuously, and people scold people who act shamefully. BSB BSB: With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 ARST What wise people say is as profound as a deep ocean.{ Wise people are like} a fountain or brook that flows abundantly with what is wise. BSB BSB: The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 ARST It is very evil{ for judges} to favor guilty people in order to prevent judging innocent people justly. BSB BSB: Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 ARST What foolish people say makes people argue, and it makes people want to beat them. BSB BSB: A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 ARST What foolish people say will ruin them. Indeed, what they say will trouble them like a trap{ troubles an animal}. BSB BSB: A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 ARST People are eager to listen to what people who gossip say, and what they say deeply affects those who hear it. BSB BSB: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 ARST People who are lazy when they work are like people who destroy things. BSB BSB: Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 ARST Yahweh is{ like} a strong tower that righteous people run into and are safe. BSB BSB: The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 ARST What rich people own keeps them safe like walls keep cities safe; they think what they own protects them as well as a high wall. BSB BSB: A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 ARST If people think proudly, then something will destroy them; people must be humble before other people respect them. BSB BSB: Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 ARST It is foolish and shameful for someone to reply to what a person has said before hearing it. BSB BSB: He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 ARST How people feel can enable them to endure being sick. However, it is very difficult to make a depressed person feel better! BSB BSB: The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 ARST Understanding people learn what they should know. Indeed, wise people try to learn what they should know. BSB BSB: The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 ARST Giving something{ to someone} can benefit the one who gives it; doing so can enable that person to meet important people. BSB BSB: A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 ARST People who state their cases first seem to be right until people whom they know arrive and question them. BSB BSB: The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 ARST Throwing lots{ in order to decide something} can make people stop arguing, it can also decide who is right between powerful people. BSB BSB: Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 ARST It is more difficult to reconcile with a relative{ whom you have} offended than{ to conquer} a fortified city; and when people argue, they avoid each other as if a castle’ s strong gate were between them. BSB BSB: An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 ARST What people say will satisfy them when they are hungry. Indeed, what people say will satisfy them. BSB BSB: From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 ARST What people say can cause people to die or remain alive. And people who love to talk will experience the consequences{ for what they say}. BSB BSB: Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 ARST Men who marry get what is good and Yahweh approves of them. BSB BSB: He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 ARST Poor people plead for others to be merciful{ to them}, but rich people reply{ to them} rudely. BSB BSB: The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 ARST Having{ unreliable} friends will destroy a person, but loving friends exist who are more loyal than brothers. BSB BSB: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.