Proverbs 18

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He 12quarrels against all sound wisdom.2A fool does not delight in understanding, But only 3in revealing his own 4mind.3When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn.4The words of a man’s mouth are 5deep waters; 6The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.5To 7show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to 8thrust aside the righteous in judgment.6A fool’s lips 9bring strife, And his mouth calls for 10blows.7A 11fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.8The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the 12innermost parts of the body.9He also who is 13slack in his work 14Is brother to him who destroys.10The 15name of the Lord is a 16strong tower; The righteous runs into it and 17is 18safe.11A 19rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.1220Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But 21humility goes before honor.13He who 22gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.14The 23spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a 24broken spirit who can bear it?15The 2526mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the 27ear of the wise seeks knowledge.16A man’s 28gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.17The first 29to plead his case seems right, Until 30another comes and examines him.18The cast 31lot puts an end to strife And 32decides between the mighty ones.19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.20With the 3334fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; 35He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.2136Death and life are in the 37power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its 38fruit.22He who finds a 39wife finds a good thing And 40obtains favor from the Lord.23The 41poor man utters supplications, But the 42rich man 43answers roughly.24A man of too many friends comes to 44ruin, But there is 45a 46friend who sticks closer than a brother.