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 accept 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 of the belly.

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

¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

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

¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour 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 neighbour 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 favour of the LORD.

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.