Proverbs 18

¹ Who lives by himself follows his own whim, is angered by advice of any kind.

² The fool has no love for reflection but only for airing his opinion.

³ When wickedness comes, contempt comes too, and, with disgrace, dishonour.

⁴ Deep waters, such are the words of man: a swelling torrent, a fountain of life.

⁵ It is not good to show partiality for the wicked and so to deprive the virtuous when giving judgement.

⁶ The lips of the fool draw him into arguments and his mouth pleads for a beating.

⁷ The mouth of the fool works his own ruin, his lips are a snare for his own life.

⁸ The words of a talebearer are tasty morsels that go right down into the belly.

⁹ The man who is idle at work is blood-brother to the destroyer.

¹⁰ The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the virtuous man runs to it and is secure.

¹¹ The rich man’s wealth is his stronghold, a high wall, as he supposes.

¹² The human heart is haughty until destruction comes, humility goes before honour.

¹³ To retort without first listening is folly to work one’s own confusion.

¹⁴ Sickness the spirit of man can endure, but when the spirit is broken, who can bear this?

¹⁵ The heart of the discerning gains in knowledge, the ear of the wise man searches for knowledge.

¹⁶ A present opens every door for you and wins you access to the great.

¹⁷ The first to plead is adjudged to be right, in comes his opponent, then the trial begins.

¹⁸ The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between men of power.

¹⁹ Brother helped by brother is a fortress, friends are like the bars of a keep.

²⁰ When a man’s stomach is full, it is the fruit of his own mouth, it is the yield of his lips that fills him.

²¹ Death and life are in the gift of the tongue, those who indulge it must eat the fruit it yields.

²² Who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Yahweh.

²³ The poor man’s language is entreaty, the rich man’s answer harshness.

²⁴ There are friends who lead one to ruin, others are closer than a brother