Proverbs 18 — ULB

18Verse 1One who isolates himself seeks his own desire
and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
^{Verse 2}A fool finds no pleasure in understanding,
but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
^{Verse 3}When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him—
along with shame and reproach.
^{Verse 4}The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
^{Verse 5}It is not good to be partial to the wicked person,
nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
^{Verse 6}A fool's lips bring him conflict
and his mouth invites a beating.
^{Verse 7}A fool's mouth is his ruin
and he ensnares himself with his lips.
^{Verse 8}The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels
and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
^{Verse 9}Also, one who is slack in his work
is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
^{Verse 10}The name of Yahweh is a strong tower;
the righteous person runs into it and is safe.
^{Verse 11}The wealth of the rich is his fortified city
and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
^{Verse 12}Before his downfall a person's heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
^{Verse 13}One who answers before listening—
it is his folly and shame.
^{Verse 14}A person's spirit will survive sickness,
but a broken spirit who can bear it?
^{Verse 15}The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge
and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
^{Verse 16}A man's gift may open the way
and bring him before an important person.
^{Verse 17}The first to plead his case seems right
until his opponent comes and questions him.
^{Verse 18}Casting the lot settles disputes
and separates strong opponents.
^{Verse 19}An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
^{Verse 20}From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled;
with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
^{Verse 21}Death and life are controlled by the tongue,
and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
^{Verse 22}He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and receives favor from Yahweh.
^{Verse 23}A poor person pleads for mercy,
but a rich person answers harshly.
^{Verse 24}The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them,
but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.