Proverbs 18

¹He that separateth himself seeketh his owndesire, and rageth against all sound wisdom. ²A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself. ³When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy cometh reproach. ⁴The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook. ⁵To accept the person of the wicked is not good, norto turn aside the righteous in judgment. ⁶A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes. ⁷A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. ⁸The words of a whisperer are as dainty, morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ⁹He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer. ¹⁰The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. ¹¹The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own imagination. ¹²Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour goethhumility. ¹³He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him. ¹⁴The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear? ¹⁵The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. ¹⁶A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. ¹⁷He that pleadeth his cause first seemethjust; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out. ¹⁸The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. ¹⁹A brother offended is harder to be wonthan a strong city: and suchcontentions are like the bars of a castle. ²⁰A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied. ²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. ²²Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. ²³The poor useth entreaties: but the rich answereth roughly. ²⁴He that maketh many friends doeth itto his own destruction: but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.