Proverbs, 18

¹ One isolating himself will seek [his own] selfish longing; against all practical wisdom he will break forth.

² Anyone stupid finds no delight in discernment, except that his heart should uncover itself.

³ When a wicked one comes in, contempt also must come in; and along with dishonor there is reproach.

⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters. The well of wisdom is a torrent bubbling forth.

⁵ The showing of partiality to the wicked one is not good, nor the turning aside of the righteous one in judgment.

⁶ The lips of one who is stupid enter into quarreling, and his very mouth calls even for strokes.

⁷ The mouth of the stupid one is the ruin of him, and his lips are a snare for his soul.

⁸ The words of the slanderer are like things to be swallowed greedily, which do go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

⁹ Also, the one showing himself slack in his work—he is a brother to the one causing ruin.^*1

¹⁰ The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into it the righteous runs and is given protection.^*1

¹¹ The valuable things of the rich are his strong town, and they are like a protective wall in his imagination.

¹² Before a crash the heart of a man is lofty, and before glory there is humility.

¹³ When anyone is replying to a matter before he hears [it], that is foolishness on his part and a humiliation.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man^*1 can put up with his malady; but as for a stricken spirit, who can bear it?

¹⁵ The heart of the understanding one acquires knowledge, and the ear of wise ones seeks to find knowledge.

¹⁶ A man’s gift^*1 will make a large opening for him, and it will lead him even before great people.

¹⁷ The one first in his legal case is righteous; his fellow comes in and certainly searches him through.

¹⁸ The lot puts even contentions to rest, and it separates even the mighty from one another.

¹⁹ A brother who is transgressed against is more than a strong town; and there are contentions that are like the bar of a dwelling tower.

²⁰ From the fruitage of a man’s^*1 mouth his belly will be satisfied; he will be satisfied even with the produce of his lips.

²¹ Death and life are in the power^*1 of the tongue, and he that is loving it will eat its fruitage.

²² Has one found a [good]^*1 wife? One has found a good thing, and one gets goodwill from Jehovah.

²³ Entreaties the one of little means speaks out, but one that is rich answers in a strong way.

²⁴ There exist^*1 companions disposed to break one another to pieces, but there exists a friend sticking closer than a brother.