18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh
And intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding,
But that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt,
And with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters,
And the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked,
To overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 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 a 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.