Proverbs 18

¹He who is estranged seeks pretexts

to break out against all sound judgment.

²A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only in expressing his opinion.

³When wickedness comes, contempt comes also;

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

⁴The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;

the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.

⁵It is not good to be partial to a wicked man,

or to deprive a righteous man of justice.

⁶A fool’s lips bring strife,

and his mouth invites a flogging.

⁷A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to himself.

⁸The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

⁹He who is slack in his work

is a brother to him who destroys.

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

¹¹A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

and like a high wall protecting him.

¹²Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,

but humility goes before honor.

¹³If one gives answer before he hears,

it is his folly and shame.

¹⁴A man’s spirit will endure sickness;

but a broken spirit who can bear?

¹⁵An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

¹⁶A man’s gift makes room for him

and brings him before great men.

¹⁷He who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

¹⁸The lot puts an end to disputes

and decides between powerful contenders.

¹⁹A brother helped is like a strong city,

but quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

²⁰From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied;

he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

²²He who finds a wife finds a good thing,

and obtains favor from the Lord.

²³The poor use entreaties,

but the rich answer roughly.

²⁴There are friends who pretend to be friends,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.