Chapter 18 - Avoid idle words
1 Through 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 LORD) 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 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
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.