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.