Proverbs 18

1 A loner is out to get what he wants for himself.He opposes all sound reasoning.2 A fool does not find joy in understandingbut only in expressing his own opinion.3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes,and insult comes along with disgrace.4 The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters.The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.5 It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person,thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.6 By talking, a fool gets into an argument,and his mouth invites a beating.7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin.His lips are a trap to his soul.8 The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily,and they go down into a person’s innermost being.

How to Avoid Fools and Foolishness

9 Whoever is lazy in his work is related to a vandal.10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower.A righteous person runs to it and is safe.11 A rich person’s wealth is his strong cityand is like a high wall in his imagination.12 Before destruction a person’s heart is arrogant,but humility comes before honor.13 Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful.14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,but who can bear a broken spirit?15 The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge.The ears of wise people seek knowledge.16 A gift opens doors for the one who gives itand brings him into the presence of great people.17 The first to state his case seems rightuntil his neighbor comes to cross-examine him.18 Flipping a coin ends quarrelsand settles issues between powerful people.19 An offended brother is more resistant than a strong city,and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower.20 A person’s speaking ability provides for his stomach.His talking provides him a living.21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.22 Whoever finds a wife finds something goodand has obtained favor from the Lord.23 A poor person is timid when begging,but a rich person is blunt when replying.24 Friends can destroy one another,tbut a loving friend can stick closer than family.

Proverbs 18

1 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy cometh reproach.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

17 He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

24 He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.