Proverbs 18 — FBV
18Verse 1Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.Verse 2Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.Verse 3With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.Verse 4People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.Verse 5It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.Verse 6What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.Verse 7Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.Verse 8Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.Verse 9Laziness and destruction are brothers.Verse 10The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.Verse 11Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.Verse 12Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.Verse 13Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.Verse 14With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.Verse 15An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.Verse 16A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.Verse 17The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.Verse 18Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.Verse 19A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town.+Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.Verse 20Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.+Verse 21What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.Verse 22If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.Verse 23The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.Verse 24Some friends give up+on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.