| Chapter 18 |
1 | He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom. |
2 | A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself. |
3 | When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy [cometh] reproach. |
4 | The words of a man's mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook. |
5 | To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment. |
6 | A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes. |
7 | A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. |
8 | The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts. |
9 | He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer. |
10 | The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe. |
11 | The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination. |
12 | Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goeth] humility. |
13 | He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him. |
14 | The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear? |
15 | The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. |
16 | A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men. |
17 | He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out. |
18 | The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty. |
19 | A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city; And [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle. |
20 | A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied. |
21 | Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. |
22 | Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah. |
23 | The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly. |
24 | He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. |