XVIII. * Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh

And bintermeddleth with all cwisdom.

2  A fool hath no delight in understanding,

But dthat his heart may discover itself.

3  When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt,

And with ignominy reproach.

4  eThe words of a man’s mouth are as fdeep waters,

And the wellspring of wisdom as ga flowing brook.

5  It is not good to haccept the person of the wicked,

To ioverthrow the righteous in judgment.

6  A fool’s lips enter into contention,

And his mouth calleth for kstrokes.

7  lA fool’s mouth is his destruction,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8  mThe words of a * talebearer are * as wounds,

mAnd they go down into the * innermost parts of the belly.

9  He also that is slothful in his work

Is nbrother to him that is a ogreat waster.

10  The name of the Lord is pa strong tower:

The righteous runneth into it, and * is safe.

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

And as a high wall in his own rconceit.

12  sBefore destruction the heart of man is haughty,

And tbefore honour is humility.

13  He that * answereth a matter ubefore he heareth it,

It is folly and shame unto him.

14  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

But xa wounded spirit who can bear?

15  The heart of the prudent ygetteth knowledge;

And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16  zA man’s gift maketh room for him,

And bringeth him before great men.

17  He that is first in his own cause seemeth just;

But ahis neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18  The lot causeth contentions to cease,

And parteth between the mighty.

19  A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city:

And their contentions are like the bars of a bcastle.

20  cA man’s belly shall be satisfied with cthe fruit of his mouth;

And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

21  dDeath and life are in the power of the tongue:

And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22  eWhoso findeth a wife findeth a fgood thing,

And gobtaineth favour hof the Lord.

23  The poor useth intreaties;

But ithe rich answereth roughly.

24  A man that hath friends must jshew himself friendly:

And kthere is la friend that sticketh closer than a brother.