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