PROVERBS 18 [†] Whoever  y isolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only  z in expressing his opinion.

3[^] When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are  a deep waters;

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5[†] It is not good to  b be partial to [1] the wicked

or to  c deprive the righteous of justice.

6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight,

and his mouth invites  d a beating.

7  e A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8  f The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into  g the inner parts of the body.

9[†] Whoever is slack in his work

is a  h brother to him who destroys.

10  i The name of the LORD is  j a strong tower;

the righteous man runs into it and  k is safe.

11  l A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

and like a high wall in his imagination.

12  m Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,

but  n humility comes before honor.

13[†] If one gives an answer  o before he hears,

it is his folly and shame.

14[†] A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

but  p a crushed spirit who can bear?

15[†] An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man’s  q gift makes room for him

and brings him before the great.

17 The one who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

18[†]  r The lot puts an end to quarrels

and decides between powerful contenders.

19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,

and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

20[†]  s From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;

he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

21  t Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

22[†] He who finds  u a wife finds  v a good thing

and  w obtains favor  x from the LORD.

23[†] The poor use entreaties,

but  y the rich answer roughly.

24[†] A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but  z there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.