Proverbs 18

1Through
desire
a man, having
separated himself,
seeketh
and intermeddleth
with all
wisdom.

2A fool hath
no delight
in understanding,
but that his heart
may discover
itself.

3When
the wicked cometh,
then cometh
also contempt,
and with ignominy
reproach.

4The words
of a man's mouth
are as deep waters,
and the wellspring
of wisdom
as a flowing brook.

5It is not good
to accept the person
of the wicked,
to overthrow
the righteous
in judgment.

6A fool's lips
enter into contention,
and his mouth
calleth
for strokes.

7A fool's mouth
is his destruction,
and his lips
are the snare
of his soul.

8The words
of a talebearer
are as wounds,
and they go down
into the innermost parts
of the belly.

9He also
that is
slothful in his work
is brother
to him
that is a
great waster.

10The name
of the LORD
is a strong tower:
the righteous
runneth into it,
and is safe.

11The rich man's
wealth is
his strong city,
and as
an high wall
in his own
conceit.

12Before destruction
the heart of man
is haughty, and
before honour
is humility.

13He
that answereth
a matter
before he heareth it,
it is
folly and shame
unto him.

14The spirit
of a man
will sustain his infirmity;
but a wounded spirit
who can bear?

15The heart
of the prudent
getteth knowledge;
and the ear
of the wise
seeketh knowledge.

16A man's gift
maketh room
for him,
and bringeth him
before great men.

17He that is
first
in his own cause
seemeth just;
but his neighbour
cometh
and searcheth him.

18The lot
causeth contentions
to cease,
and parteth
between the mighty.

19A brother
offended is harder
to be won
than a strong city:
and their contentions
are like the bars
of a castle.

20A man's belly
shall be satisfied
with the fruit
of his mouth;
and with the increase
of his lips
shall he
be filled.

21Death and life
are in the
power of the tongue:
and they
that love it
shall eat
the fruit thereof.

22Whoso
findeth a wife
findeth a good thing,
and obtaineth favour
of the LORD.

23The poor
useth intreaties;
but the rich
answereth
roughly.

24A man
that hath friends
must shew himself
friendly:
and there is
a friend
that sticketh
closer than a brother.