Proverbs 18

Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

1One who separates himself seeks his own desire; He 12quarrels against all sound wisdom.2A fool does not delight in understanding, But 3in revealing his own 4mind.3When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes taunting.4The words of a person’s mouth are 5deep waters; 6The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.5To 7show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to 8suppress the righteous in judgment.6A fool’s lips 9bring strife, And his mouth invites 10beatings.7A 11fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.8The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the 12innermost parts of the body.9He also who is 13lax in his work 14Is a brother to him who destroys.10The 15name of the Lord is a 16strong tower; The righteous runs into it and 17is 18safe.11A 19rich person’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.1220Before destruction the heart of a person is haughty, But 21humility goes before honor.13One who 22gives an answer before he hears, It is foolishness and shame to him.14The 23spirit of a person can endure his sickness, But as for a 24broken spirit, who can endure it?15The 2526mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, And the 27ear of the wise seeks knowledge.16A person’s 28gift makes room for him And brings him before great people.17The first 29to plead his case seems right, Until 30another comes and examines him.18The cast 31lot puts an end to quarrels, And 32decides between the mighty ones.19A brother who is offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And quarrels are like the bars of a citadel.20With the 3334fruit of a person’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.23A 41poor person utters pleadings, But a 42rich person 43answers defiantly.24A person of too many friends comes to 44ruin, But there is 45a friend who sticks closer than a brother.