Proverbs 18

18One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;

he rebels against all sound judgment.

²A fool does not delight in understanding,

but only wants to show off his opinions. ^yz

³When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,

and along with dishonor, disgrace.

⁴The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, ^a

a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. ^b

⁵It is not good to show partiality to the guilty ^c

by perverting the justice due the innocent. ^d

⁶A fool’s lips lead to strife,

and his mouth provokes a beating. ^e

⁷A fool’s mouth is his devastation,

and his lips are a trap for his life. ^f

⁸A gossip’s words are like choice food

that goes down to one’s innermost being. ^gh

⁹The one who is truly lazy in his work

is brother to a vandal. ^ij

¹⁰The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; ^k

the righteous run to it and are protected. ^lm

¹¹A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;

in his imagination it is like a high wall. ⁿ

¹²Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, ^o

but humility comes before honor. ^p

¹³The one who gives an answer before he listens—

this is foolishness and disgrace for him. ^q

¹⁴A man’s spirit can endure sickness,

but who can survive a broken spirit? ^r

¹⁵The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks it. ^s

¹⁶A gift opens doors ^tfor a man

and brings him before the great. ^u

¹⁷The first to state his case seems right

until another comes and cross-examines him. ^v

¹⁸Casting the lot ^wends quarrels

and separates powerful opponents.

¹⁹An offended brother is harder to reach ^x

than a fortified city,

and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

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

he is filled with the product of his lips. ^y

²¹Life and death are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruit. ^z

²²A man who finds a wife finds a good thing ^a

and obtains favor from the Lord. ^b

²³The poor man pleads, ^c

but the rich one answers roughly. ^d

²⁴A man with many friends may be harmed, ^e

but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. ^f