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18 A loner is out to get what he wants for himself.
    He opposes all sound reasoning.
A fool does not find joy in understanding
    but only in expressing his own opinion.

When wickedness comes, contempt also comes,
    and insult comes along with disgrace.
The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters.
    The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person,
    thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.

By talking, a fool gets into an argument,
    and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin.
    His lips are a trap to his soul.
The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily,
    and they go down into a person’s innermost being.

How to Avoid Fools and Foolishness

Whoever is lazy in his work is related to a vandal.
10 The name of Yahweh is Migdal-Oz.
    A righteous person runs to it and is safe.
11 A rich person’s wealth is his strong city
    and is like a high wall in his imagination.

12 Before destruction a person’s heart is arrogant,
    but humility comes before honor.
13 Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful.
14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
    but who can bear a broken spirit?
15 The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge.
    The ears of wise people seek knowledge.
16 A gift opens doors for the one who gives it
    and brings him into the presence of great people.

17 The first to state his case seems right
    until his neighbor comes to cross-examine him.
18 Flipping a coin ends quarrels
    and settles issues between powerful people.
19 An offended brother is more resistant than a strong city,
    and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower.

20 A person’s speaking ability provides for his stomach.
    His talking provides him a living.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
    and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.

22 Whoever finds a wife finds something good
    and has obtained favor from Yahweh.
23 A poor person is timid when begging,
    but a rich person is blunt when replying.
24 Friends can destroy one another,[a]
    but a loving friend can stick closer than family.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:24 Or “A person has friends as companions.”

18 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded 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 is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

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 their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

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 favour of the Lord.

23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.