1 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Through desire H8378 (תַּאֲוָה) — a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm)
- a man, having separated H6504 (פָּרַד) — to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself)
- himself, seeketh H1245 (בָּקַשׁ) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
- intermeddleth H1566 (גָּלַע) — to be obstinate
- with all wisdom H8454 (תּוּשִׁיָּה) — support or (by implication) ability, i.e. (direct) help, (in purpose) an undertaking, (intellectual) understanding
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A fool H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- hath no delight H2654 (חָפֵץ) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
- in understanding H8394 (תָּבוּן) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
- but that his heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- may discover H1540 (גָּלָה) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy cometh reproach.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- When the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
- cometh H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- also contempt H937 (בּוּז) — disrespect
- and with ignominy H7036 (קָלוֹן) — disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda
- reproach H2781 (חֶרְפָּה) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- of a man’s H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- deep H6013 (עָמֹק) — deep (literally or figuratively)
- waters H4325 (מַיִם) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
- the wellspring H4726 (מָקוֹר) — properly, something dug, i.e. a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda); figurativel…
- of wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- a flowing H5042 (נָבַע) — to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor)
- brook H5158 (נַחַל) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- not good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- to accept H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
- the person H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- of the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
- to overthrow H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
- the righteous H6662 (צַדִּיק) — just
- in judgment H4941 (מִשְׁפָּט) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or…
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A fool’s H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
- enter H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- into contention H7379 (רִיב) — a contest (personal or legal)
- and his mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- calleth H7121 (קָרָא) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
- for strokes H4112 (מַהֲלֻמָּה) — a blow
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A fool’s H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- his destruction H4288 (מְחִתָּה) — properly, a dissolution; concretely, a ruin, or (abstractly) consternation
- and his lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
- the snare H4170 (מוֹקֵשׁ) — a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)
- of his soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- of a talebearer H5372 (נִרְגָּן) — a slanderer
- as wounds H3859 (לָהַם) — properly, to burn in, i.e. (figuratively) to rankle
- and they go down H3381 (יָרַד) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively,…
- into the innermost parts H2315 (חֶדֶר) — an apartment (usually literal)
- of the belly H990 (בֶּטֶן) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He also that is slothful H7503 (רָפָה) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
- in his work H4399 (מְלָאכָה) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
- is brother H251 (אָח) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like 1])
- to him that is a great H1167 (בַּעַל) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
- waster H7843 (שָׁחַת) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The name H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
- of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- a strong H5797 (עֹז) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
- tower H4026 (מִגְדָּל) — a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers
- the righteous H6662 (צַדִּיק) — just
- runneth H7323 (רוּץ) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
- into it, and is safe H7682 (שָׂגַב) — to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The rich man’s H6223 (עָשִׁיר) — rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
- wealth H1952 (הוֹן) — wealth; by implication, enough
- his strong H5797 (עֹז) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
- city H7151 (קִרְיָה) — a city
- and as an high H7682 (שָׂגַב) — to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively
- wall H2346 (חוֹמָה) — a wall of protection
- in his own conceit H4906 (מַשְׂכִּית) — a figure (carved on stone, the wall, or any object); figuratively, imagination
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- destruction H7667 (שֶׁבֶר) — a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)
- the heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- of man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- is haughty H1361 (גָּבַהּ) — to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty
- and before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- honour H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
- humility H6038 (עֲנָוָה) — condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency)
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He that answereth H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- a matter H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- before he heareth H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- folly H200 (אִוֶּלֶת) — silliness
- and shame H3639 (כְּלִמָּה) — disgrace
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
- of a man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- will sustain H3557 (כּוּל) — properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)
- his infirmity H4245 (מַחֲלֶה) — sickness
- but a wounded H5218 (נָכֵא) — smitten, i.e. (figuratively) afflicted
- spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
- who can bear H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- of the prudent H995 (בִּין) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
- getteth H7069 (קָנָה) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
- knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
- and the ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
- of the wise H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- seeketh H1245 (בָּקַשׁ) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A man’s H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- gift H4976 (מַתָּן) — a present
- maketh room H7337 (רָחַב) — to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)
- for him, and bringeth H5148 (נָחָה) — to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)
- him before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- great men H1419 (גָּדוֹל) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
17 He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- first H7223 (רִאשׁוֹן) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
- in his own cause H7379 (רִיב) — a contest (personal or legal)
- just H6662 (צַדִּיק) — just
- but his neighbour H7453 (רֵעַ) — an associate (more or less close)
- cometh H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- and searcheth H2713 (חָקַר) — properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The lot H1486 (גּוֹרָל) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
- causeth contentions H4079 (מִדְיָן)
- to cease H7673 (שָׁבַת) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
- and parteth H6504 (פָּרַד) — to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself)
- between the mighty H6099 (עָצוּם) — powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A brother H251 (אָח) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like 1])
- offended H6586 (פָּשַׁע) — to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel
- than a strong H5797 (עֹז) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
- city H7151 (קִרְיָה) — a city
- contentions H4066 (מָדוֹן) — a contest or quarrel
- contentions H4079 (מִדְיָן)
- like the bars H1280 (בְּרִיחַ) — a bolt
- of a castle H759 (אַרְמוֹן) — a citadel (from its height)
20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A man’s H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- belly H990 (בֶּטֶן) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
- shall be satisfied H7646 (שָׂבַע) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
- with the fruit H6529 (פְּרִי) — fruit (literally or figuratively)
- of his mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- with the increase H8393 (תְּבוּאָה) — income, i.e. produce (literally or figuratively)
- of his lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
- shall he be filled H7646 (שָׂבַע) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Death H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
- and life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- in the power H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- of the tongue H3956 (לָשׁוֹן) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of…
- and they that love H157 (אָהַב) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
- it shall eat H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
- the fruit H6529 (פְּרִי) — fruit (literally or figuratively)
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- findeth H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
- a wife H802 (אִשָּׁה) — a woman
- a good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- and obtaineth H6329 (פּוּק) — to issue, i.e. furnish; causatively, to secure; figuratively, to succeed
- favour H7522 (רָצוֹן) — delight (especially as shown)
- of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The poor H7326 (רוּשׁ) — to be destitute
- useth H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
- intreaties H8469 (תַּחֲנוּן) — earnest prayer
- but the rich H6223 (עָשִׁיר) — rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
- answereth H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
- roughly H5794 (עַז) — strong, vehement, harsh
24 He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- friends H7453 (רֵעַ) — an associate (more or less close)
- must shew himself friendly H7489 (רָעַע) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally)
- and there is H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- a friend H157 (אָהַב) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
- sticketh closer H1695 (דָּבֵק) — adhering
- than a brother H251 (אָח) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like 1])