Proverbs 18

18Whoever ^yisolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment.

²A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only ^zin expressing his opinion.

³When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

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

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

⁵It is not good to ^bbe partial to¹ the wicked

or to ^cdeprive the righteous of justice.

⁶A fool’s lips walk into a fight,

and his mouth invites ^da beating.

^7eA fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

^8fThe words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into ^gthe inner parts of the body.

⁹Whoever is slack in his work

is a ^hbrother to him who destroys.

¹⁰ⁱThe name of the Lord is ^ja strong tower;

the righteous man runs into it and ^kis safe.

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

and like a high wall in his imagination.

^12mBefore destruction a man’s heart is haughty,

but ⁿhumility comes before honor.

¹³If one gives an answer ^obefore he hears,

it is his folly and shame.

¹⁴A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

but ^pa crushed spirit who can bear?

¹⁵An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

¹⁶A man’s ^qgift makes room for him

and brings him before the great.

¹⁷The one who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

^18rThe lot puts an end to quarrels

and decides between powerful contenders.

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

and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

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

he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

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

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

²²He who finds ^ua wife finds ^va good thing

and ^wobtains favor ^xfrom the Lord.

²³The poor use entreaties,

but ^ythe rich answer roughly.

²⁴A man of many companions may come to ruin,

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