Proverbs 18

18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;

he rebels against all sound wisdom.

2 A fool does not delight in understanding,

but only wants to show off his opinions.C,m

3 When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,

and along with dishonor, derision.

4 The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,n

a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.D

5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty,o

denying an innocent person justice.p

6 A fool’s lips lead to strife,

and his mouth provokes a beating.q

7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation,

and his lips are a trap for his life.r

8 A gossip’s words are like choice food

that goes down to one’s innermost being.E,s

9 The one who is lazy in his work

is brother to a vandal.F,t

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;u

the righteous run to it and are protected.G,v

11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;

in his imagination it is like a high wall.w

12 Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud,x

but humility comes before honor.y

13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—

this is foolishness and disgrace for him.z

14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,

but who can survive a broken spirit?aa

15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks it.ab

16 A person’s gift opens doorsA for him

and brings him before the great.a

17 The first to state his case seems right

until another comes and cross-examines him.b

18 Casting the lotc ends quarrels

and separates powerful opponents.

19 An offended brother is harder to reachB

than a fortified city,

and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;

he is filled with the product of his lips.d

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

and those who love it will eat its fruit.e

22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thingf

and obtains favor from the Lord.g

23 The poor person pleads,h

but the rich one answers roughly.i

24 One with many friends may be harmed,C

but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.j