18
1A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment.
2A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his ⚓own heart.
3When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.
4⚓The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
⚓The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in ⚓judgment.
6A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7⚓A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his ⚓soul.
8⚓The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
9He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10The name of the Lordis a strong ⚓tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12⚓Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.
13He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.
14The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?
15The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16⚓A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.
17The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18Casting ⚓lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
19A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20⚓A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21⚓Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22⚓He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord.
23The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers ⚓roughly.
24A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
⚓But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.