Proverbs 18
Proverbs 18
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. Verse 2. A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. Verse 3. When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace. Verse 4. The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. Verse 5. To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice. Verse 6. A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. Verse 7. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul. Verse 8. The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. Verse 9. One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. Verse 10. Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. Verse 11. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. Verse 12. Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. Verse 13. He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. Verse 14. A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear? Verse 15. The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Verse 16. A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. Verse 17. He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him. Verse 18. The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart. Verse 19. A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress. Verse 20. A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. Verse 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. Verse 22. Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. Verse 23. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. Verse 24. A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.