18 Whoever yisolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2  A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only zin expressing his opinion.

3  When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

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

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5  It is not good to bbe partial to1 the wicked

or to cdeprive the righteous of justice.

6  A fool’s lips walk into a fight,

and his mouth invites da beating.

7  eA fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8  fThe words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into gthe inner parts of the body.

9  Whoever is slack in his work

is a hbrother to him who destroys.

10  iThe name of the Lord is ja strong tower;

the righteous man runs into it and kis safe.

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

and like a high wall in his imagination.

12  mBefore destruction a man’s heart is haughty,

but nhumility comes before honor.

13  If one gives an answer obefore he hears,

it is his folly and shame.

14  A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

but pa crushed spirit who can bear?

15  An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16  A man’s qgift makes room for him

and brings him before the great.

17  The one who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

18  rThe lot puts an end to quarrels

and decides between powerful contenders.

19  A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,

and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

20  sFrom the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;

he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

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

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

22  He who finds ua wife finds va good thing

and wobtains favor xfrom the Lord.

23  The poor use entreaties,

but ythe rich answer roughly.

24  A man of many companions may come to ruin,

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