Proverbs 18

1Whoever aisolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only bin expressing his opinion.
3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4The words of a man’s mouth are cdeep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5It is not good to dbe partial to
Hebrew  to lift the face of
the wicked
or to fdeprive the righteous of justice.
6A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites ga beating.
7 hA fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 iThe words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into jthe inner parts of the body.
9Whoever is slack in his work
is a kbrother to him who destroys.
10 lThe name of the Lord is ma strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and nis safe.
11 oA rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 pBefore destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but qhumility comes before honor.
13If one gives an answer rbefore he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
14A man’s spirit will endure sickness,
but sa crushed spirit who can bear?
15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16A man’s tgift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.
17The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
18 uThe lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.
19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 vFrom the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 wDeath and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22He who finds xa wife finds ya good thing
and zobtains favor aafrom the Lord.
23The poor use entreaties,
but abthe rich answer roughly.
24A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but acthere is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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