Proverbs 18

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¹He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.

²A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.

³When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.

⁴The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.

⁵To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.

⁶A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.

⁷The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.

⁸The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.

⁹He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.

¹¹The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.

¹²Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.

¹³To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.

¹⁴The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?

¹⁵The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.

¹⁶A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.

¹⁷The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.

¹⁸The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.

¹⁹A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.

²⁰With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.

²²Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.

²³The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.

²⁴There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.

Proverbs 18

¹An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.

²A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.

³When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.

⁴The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

⁵To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

⁶A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.

⁷A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

⁸The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person's innermost parts.

⁹One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.

¹¹The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

¹²Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

¹³He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.

¹⁴A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

¹⁵The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

¹⁶A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

¹⁷He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.

¹⁸The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

¹⁹A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

²²Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the Lord.

²³The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

²⁴A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.