Chapter 18
A fool’s mouth is his destruction—Whoever obtains a wife obtains a good thing—A man who has friends must show himself friendly.
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 awaters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the aperson of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into acontention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool’s amouth is his bdestruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a atalebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is aslothful in his work is brother to him that is a great bwaster.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong atower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The arich man’s bwealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is ahaughty, and before honour is bhumility.
13 He that aanswereth 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 aprudent getteth bknowledge; 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 afirst in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The alot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A abrother boffended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their ccontentions 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 atongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 aWhoso findeth a bwife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
23 The apoor useth bentreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a afriend that sticketh closer than a bbrother.