THE PROVERBS
CHAPTER 18
A fool’s mouth is his destruction—Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing—A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.
1 T
HROUGH 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 waters,
and the wellspring of wisdom
as a flowing brook.
5
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool’s mouth
is his destruction, and his lips
are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer
are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the L
ORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth
is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour
is humility.
13 He that answereth 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 prudent getteth knowledge; 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 first in his own cause
seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother offended
is harder to be won than a strong city: and
their contentions
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 tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22
aWhoso findeth a wife findeth a good
thing, and obtaineth favour of the L
ORD.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man
that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend
that sticketh closer than a brother.