Proverbs 18 — NETB

18Verse 1One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires;
he rejects all sound judgment.
^{Verse 2}A fool takes no pleasure in understanding
but only in disclosing what is on his mind.
^{Verse 3}When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him,
and with shame comes a reproach.
^{Verse 4}The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters,
and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
^{Verse 5}It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked,
by depriving a righteous man of justice.
^{Verse 6}The lips of a fool enter into strife,
and his mouth invites a flogging.
^{Verse 7}The mouth of a fool is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare for his life.
^{Verse 8}The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down into the person’s innermost being.
^{Verse 9}The one who is slack in his work
is a brother to one who destroys.
^{Verse 10}The name of the Lord is like a strong tower;
the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.
^{Verse 11}The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city,
and it is like a high wall in his imagination.
^{Verse 12}Before destruction the heart of a person is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
^{Verse 13}The one who gives an answer before he listens –
that is his folly and his shame.
^{Verse 14}A person’s spirit sustains him through sickness –
but who can bear a crushed spirit?
^{Verse 15}The discerning person acquires knowledge,
and the wise person seeks knowledge.
^{Verse 16}A person’s gift makes room for him,
and leads him before important people.
^{Verse 17}The first to state his case seems right,
until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
^{Verse 18}A toss of a coin ends disputes,
and settles the issue between strong opponents.
^{Verse 19}A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city,
and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.
^{Verse 20}From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied,
with the product of his lips is he satisfied.
^{Verse 21}Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
^{Verse 22}The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable,
and receives a pleasurable gift from the Lord.
^{Verse 23}A poor person makes supplications,
but a rich man answers harshly.
^{Verse 24}A person who has friends may be harmed by them,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.