CPDV - Proverbs - 18

18:1  Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.

18:2  The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.

18:3  The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.

18:4  Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.

18:5  It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.

18:6  The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.

18:7  The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.

18:8  The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.

18:9  Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.

18:10  The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.

18:11  The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.

18:12  The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.

18:13  Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.

18:14  The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?

18:15  A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.

18:16  A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.

18:17  The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.

18:18  Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.

18:19  A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.

18:20  From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.

18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.

18:22  He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.

18:23  The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.

18:24  A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.