18:1 One who has isolated himself1
seeks his own desires;2
he breaks3
all sound judgment.
18:2 A fool takes no pleasure4
in understanding
but rather in disclosing5
what is on his mind.6
18:3 When a wicked person7
comes, contempt8
also comes;
and with shame comes9
a reproach.
18:4 The words of a person’s mouth are deep
waters,10
and11
the fountain of wisdom12
is a flowing brook.13
18:5 It is not good14
to show partiality15
to the wicked,
or to turn aside16
the righteous in judgment.
18:6 The lips of a fool17
enter into strife,18
and his mouth calls for19
blows.20
18:7 The mouth of a fool is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare for his life.21
18:8 The words of a gossip22
are like choice morsels;23
they go down into the person’s innermost being.24
18:9 Also,25
one who is slack26
in his work
is a brother27
to one who destroys.28
18:10 The name of the LORD29
is a strong tower;30
the righteous person runs31
to it and is set safely on high.32
18:11 The wealth33
of a rich person is his strong city;34
and it is like a high wall in his imagination.35
18:12 Before destruction the heart of a person is
proud,36
but humility comes before honor.37
18:13 The one who gives an answer38
before he listens—39
that is his folly and his shame.40
18:14 A person’s spirit41
sustains him in sickness,
but a crushed spirit42—who
can bear?43
18:15 The heart44
of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise45
seeks46
knowledge.
18:16 A person’s gift47
makes room for him,
and leads him48
in before great people.
18:17 The first to make his case49
seems50
right,
until another51
comes52
and examines him.53
18:18 Casting lots54
ends55
disputes,
and separates56
between strong opponents.57
18:19 A relative offended58
is harder to reach than59
a strong city,
and disputes are like the bars of a citadel.60
18:20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth61
is his stomach satisfied,62
with the ingathering of his lips is he satisfied.
18:21 Death and life are in the power63
of the tongue,64
and those who love it65
will eat its fruit.
18:22 The one who finds66
a wife finds what is good67
and receives favor68
from the LORD.69
18:23 A poor person makes supplications,70
but a rich man answers harshly.71
18:24 A person who has friends72
may be harmed by them,73
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.