18:1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.
18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
18:3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace.
18:4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
18:5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.
18:6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
18:7 A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.
18:9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
18:11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.
18:12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
18:13 He who answers before listening–that is his folly and his shame.
18:14 A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
18:16 A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.
18:17 The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.
18:18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
18:19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
18:20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
18:23 A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.
18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
18:1 He who separates himself seeks his own desire / And rages against all sound wisdom.
18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, / But only that his heart may reveal itself.
18:3 When the wicked man comes, contempt also comes; / And with dishonor comes reproach.
18:4 The words of a man s mouth are deep waters, / A gushing stream, a fountain of wisdom.
18:5 To respect the person of the wicked man is not good, / Nor to turn aside the righteous man in judgment.
18:6 A fool s lips bring strife, / And his mouth invites blows.
18:7 A fool s mouth is his ruin, / And his lips are the snare of his soul.
18:8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, / And they go down into the innermost parts of one s being.
18:9 He also who is slack in his work / Is brother to him who is a destroyer.
18:10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; / The righteous man runs into it and is safe.
18:11 The rich man s substance is his strong city / And like a high wall in his own imagination.
18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, / But humility goes before honor.
18:13 As for him who gives an answer before he hears, / It is folly and shame.
18:14 The spirit of a man can sustain his sickness, / But a broken spirit who can bear?
18:15 The heart of one who has understanding acquires knowledge, / And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
18:16 A man s gift makes room for him / And brings him before great men.
18:17 The first to plead his case seems just, / Until his neighbor comes and cross-examines him.
18:18 The lot causes contentions to cease / And decides between the mighty.
18:19 A brother offended is harder to be gained than a strong city, / And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
18:20 With the fruit of his mouth a man s stomach will be satisfied; / With the produce of his lips he will be satisfied.
18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, / And those who love it will eat its fruit.
18:22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, / And obtains favor from Jehovah.
18:23 The poor man utters supplications, / But the rich man answers roughly.
18:24 A man of many friends comes to destruction, / But there is a true friend that sticks closer than a brother.