Proverbs 18 — WEB

18Verse 1A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness,and defies all sound judgment.^{Verse 2}A fool has no delight in understanding,but only in revealing his own opinion.^{Verse 3}When wickedness comes, contempt also comes,and with shame comes disgrace.^{Verse 4}The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters.The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.^{Verse 5}To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good,nor to deprive the innocent of justice.^{Verse 6}A fool’s lips come into strife,and his mouth invites beatings.^{Verse 7}A fool’s mouth is his destruction,and his lips are a snare to his soul.^{Verse 8}The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels:they go down into a person’s innermost parts.^{Verse 9}One who is slack in his workis brother to him who is a master of destruction.^{Verse 10}The LORD’s name is a strong tower:the righteous run to him, and are safe.^{Verse 11}The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.^{Verse 12}Before destruction the heart of man is proud,but before honor is humility.^{Verse 13}He who answers before he hears,that is folly and shame to him.^{Verse 14}A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness,but a crushed spirit, who can bear?^{Verse 15}The heart of the discerning gets knowledge.The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.^{Verse 16}A man’s gift makes room for him,and brings him before great men.^{Verse 17}He who pleads his cause first seems right—until another comes and questions him.^{Verse 18}The lot settles disputes,and keeps strong ones apart.^{Verse 19}A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city.Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.^{Verse 20}A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth.With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.^{Verse 21}Death and life are in the power of the tongue;those who love it will eat its fruit.^{Verse 22}Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing,and obtains favor of the LORD.^{Verse 23}The poor plead for mercy,but the rich answer harshly.^{Verse 24}A man of many companions may be ruined,but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.