Proverbs 18
1 He who separates himself indulges his desires and shows contempt for sound advice of any kind.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in trying to understand; he only wants to express his own opinion.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes too, and with disdain, provocation.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep water, a gushing torrent, a fountain of wisdom.
5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty and thus deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's words get him into fights; yes, his mouth calls out for a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin; his words are a trap for him.
8 A slanderer's words are tasty morsels; they slide right down into the belly.
9 Whoever is lazy in doing his work is brother to the destroyer.
10 The name of ADONAI is a strong tower; a righteous person runs to it and is raised high [above danger].
11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city, like a high wall, in his own imagination.
12 Before being ruined, a person's heart is proud; before being honored, a person must be humble.
13 To answer someone before hearing him out is both stupid and embarrassing.
14 A person's spirit can sustain him when ill, but a crushed spirit - who can bear it?
15 The mind of a person with discernment gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A person's gift clears his way and gives him access to the great.
17 The first to state his case seems right, till the other one comes and cross-examines.
18 Casting lots puts an end to strife and separates powerful disputants.
19 It is harder to win an offended brother than a strong city; their fights are like the bars of a fortress.
20 A person's belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with what his lips produce he will be filled.
21 The tongue has power over life and death; those who indulge it must eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a great good; he has won the favor of ADONAI.
23 The poor man speaks beseechingly, the rich man's answer is blunt.
24 Some "friends" pretend to be friends, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.