Proverbs 18

1 Whoever a isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
 2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only b in expressing his opinion.
 3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
 4 The words of a man’s mouth are c deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
 5 It is not good to d be partial to ▼
▼ Hebrew  to lift the face of
 the wicked
or to f deprive the righteous of justice.
 6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites g a beating.
 7  h A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
 8  i The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into j the inner parts of the body.
 9 Whoever is slack in his work
is a k brother to him who destroys.
 10  l The name of the  Lord is m a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and n is safe.
 11  o A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
 12  p Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but q humility comes before honor.
 13 If one gives an answer r before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
 14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness,
but s a crushed spirit who can bear?
 15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
 16 A man’s t gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.
 17 The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
 18  u The lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.
 19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
 20  v From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
 21  w Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
 22 He who finds x a wife finds y a good thing
and z obtains favor aa from the  Lord.
 23 The poor use entreaties,
but ab the rich answer roughly.
 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but ac there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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