Proverbs

18* An alienated friend hunts for something to wrangle over

and flies into a rage at any sane word.

2 A fool has no fancy for good sense,

but for venting his ideas.

3* When wickedness comes in, contempt comes in too;

and with despicableness go indignities.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep water,

the fountain of wisdom a dashing stream.

5 It is not a good thing to allow personal favor to a wrong-doer,

giving the go-by to a right-doer in judgment.

6 A fool’s lips bring strife

and his mouth invites pounding.

7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin

and his lips a snare for his life.

8*** A scandalmonger’s words are like the seeping of water,

and they run down into the deepest recesses of the body.

9 One who is even slack in his business

is brother to a wrecker.

10* Jehovah’s name is a tower of shelter;

in it an honest man runs in and is out of reach of harm.

11* A rich man’s goods are his strong city

and as by a wall he is safe from harm by their hedge.

12 Before a crash a man’s thoughts are high,

but before honor goes humility.

13* For one who answers before he hears

the upshot is irrelevance and humiliation.

14 A man’s spirit weathers his ailment,

but who is to carry the load of a broken-down spirit?

15 An intelligent man’s heart gets in knowledge

and wise men’s ears hunt up sound judgment.

16 A man’s gift makes room for him

and introduces him before big men.

17 The man who states his case first is all right,

but the other party comes in and probes him.

18 The lot puts an end to quarrels

and separates formidable opponents.

19* A brother is more of a salvation than a strong city,

and kinsfolk are equal to castle bars.

20 Out of the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will have its fill,

and of the produce of his lips he will get all he can hold.

21 Death and life are in the hands of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat the fruit of it.

22 Who has found a wife has found a good thing

and obtained favor from Jehovah.

23 A poor man talks beseechingly,

a rich man answers imperiously.

24* There are friends for company,

and there is such a thing as a loving friend that sticks tighter than

a brother.