NETtext - Proverbs - 18

18:1  One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment.

18:2  A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind.

18:3  When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him, and with shame comes a reproach.

18:4  The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

18:5  It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked, by depriving a righteous man of justice.

18:6  The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.

18:7  The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life.

18:8  The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person's innermost being.

18:9  The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.

18:10  The name of the LORD is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.

18:11  The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination.

18:12  Before destruction the heart of a person is proud, but humility comes before honor.

18:13  The one who gives an answer before he listens - that is his folly and his shame.

18:14  A person's spirit sustains him through sickness - but who can bear a crushed spirit?

18:15  The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge.

18:16  A person's gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people.

18:17  The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.

18:18  A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents.

18:19  A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.

18:20  From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied, with the product of his lips is he satisfied.

18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.

18:22  The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable, and receives a pleasurable gift from the LORD.

18:23  A poor person makes supplications, but a rich man answers harshly.

18:24  A person who has friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.