Proverbs

18 1 ¹THROUGH ^adesire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

2 A ^bfool hath no delight in understanding, but ^cthat his heart may discover itself.

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

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

5 It is ^fnot good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

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

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

8 The ⁱwords of a ²talebearer are ³as wounds, and they go down into the ⁴innermost parts of the belly.

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

10 The ^kname of the LORD is ^la strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and ⁵is safe.

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

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

13 He ^othat ⁶answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21 ^xDeath and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall ^yeat the fruit thereof.

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

23 The ^apoor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth ^broughly.

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