| Chapter 18 |
1 |
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, And defies all sound judgment. |
2 |
A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in broadcasting his own opinion. |
3 |
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, And with shame comes disgrace. |
4 |
The words of a man`s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. |
5 |
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, Nor to deprive the innocent of justice. |
6 |
A fool`s lips come into strife, And his mouth invites beatings. |
7 |
A fool`s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare to his soul. |
8 |
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: They go down into a person`s innermost parts. |
9 |
One who is slack in his work Is brother to him who is a master of destruction. |
10 |
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: The righteous run to him, and are safe. |
11 |
The rich man`s wealth is his strong city, Like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. |
12 |
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, But before honor is humility. |
13 |
He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him. |
14 |
A man`s spirit will sustain him in sickness, But a crushed spirit who can bear? |
15 |
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. |
16 |
A man`s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. |
17 |
He who pleads his cause first seems right; Until another comes and questions him. |
18 |
The lot settles disputes, And keeps strong ones apart. |
19 |
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; And disputes are like the bars of a castle. |
20 |
A man`s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. |
21 |
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; Those who love it will eat its fruit. |
22 |
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor of Yahweh. |
23 |
The poor pleads for mercy, But the rich answers harshly. |
24 |
A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |