Proverbs 18

New King James Version

² A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his^(A)own heart.

³ When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonorcomesreproach.

^4 (B)The words of a man’s moutharedeep waters;
^(C)The wellspring of wisdomisa flowing brook.

⁵ It isnot good to show partiality to the wicked,
Orto overthrow the righteous in^(D)judgment.

⁶ A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
^7 (E)A fool’s mouthishis destruction,
And his lipsarethe snare of his^(F)soul.
^8 (G)The words of a^[b]talebearerarelike^[c]tasty trifles,
And they go down into the^[d]inmost body.

⁹ He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

¹⁰ The name of theLordisa strong^(H)tower;
The righteous run to it and are^[e]safe.
¹¹ The rich man’s wealthishis strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.

^12 (I)Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honorishumility.

¹³ He who answers a matter before he hearsit,
Itisfolly and shame to him.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?

¹⁵ The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

^16 (J)A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.

¹⁷ The firstoneto plead his causeseemsright,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

¹⁸ Casting^(K)lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.

¹⁹ A brother offendedis harder to winthan a strong city,
And contentionsarelike the bars of a castle.

^20 (L)A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
Fromthe produce of his lips he shall be filled.

^21 (M)Death and lifearein the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

^22 (N)He whofinds a wife finds a goodthing,
And obtains favor from theLord.

²³ The poormanuses entreaties,
But the rich answers^(O)roughly.

²⁴ A manwho hasfriends^[f]must himself be friendly,
^(P)But there is a friendwhosticks closer than a brother.