Proverbs 18

Chapter 18

¹He that separateth himself seeketh his pleasure, he is vehement 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 reproach.

⁴The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.

⁵It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.

⁶A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes. ⁷A fool’s mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

⁸The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

⁹He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.

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

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

¹²Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour goeth humility.

¹³He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.

¹⁴The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

¹⁵The heart of an intelligent man 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 is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.

²⁰A man’s belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²²Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.

²³He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.

²⁴A man of many friends will come to ruin but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.