Chapter 18

¹One who isolates themselves seeks their own desire; they rage against all sound judgment.

²A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in airing their own thoughts.

³When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with dishonor comes disgrace.

⁴The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.

⁵It is not good to show favor to the wicked or to deny justice to the righteous.

⁶A fool’s lips bring strife, and their mouth invites a beating.

⁷A fool’s mouth is their ruin; their lips ensnare their soul.

⁸The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they sink into one’s inmost being.

⁹One who is slack in their work is a sibling to one who destroys.

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

¹¹The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; in their mind, it is a high wall.

¹²Before destruction, a person’s heart is proud; but humility comes before honor.

¹³To answer before listening is folly and shame.

¹⁴A person’s spirit can endure sickness, but a crushed spirit—who can bear it?

¹⁵The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ear of the wise seeks it.

¹⁶A gift opens the way; it brings one before the great.

¹⁷The first to plead their case seems right, until another comes and examines them.

¹⁸Casting lots settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

¹⁹A brother offended is harder to win than a fortified city; their quarrels are like bars of a fortress.

²⁰From the fruit of one’s mouth their stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

²²One who finds a wife finds good and obtains favor from the Lord.

²³The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

²⁴Some friends may lead to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 19 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 19 – VKJV