[1] An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. [2] Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. [3] When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. [4] The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. [5] It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice. [6] The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. [7] The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. [8] The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. [9] One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. [10] The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. [11] The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. [12] Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
