18:1 He who separates himself indulges his desires and shows contempt for sound advice of any kind.
18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in trying to understand; he only wants to express his own opinion.
18:3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes too, and with disdain, provocation.
18:4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep water, a gushing torrent, a fountain of wisdom.
18:5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty and thus deprive the innocent of justice.
18:6 A fool’s words get him into fights; yes, his mouth calls out for a beating.
18:7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin; his words are a trap for him.
18:8 A slanderer’s words are tasty morsels; they slide right down into the belly.
18:9 Whoever is lazy in doing his work is brother to the destroyer.
18:10 The name of Adonai is a strong tower; a righteous person runs to it and is raised high [above danger].
18:11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city, like a high wall, in his own imagination.
18:12 Before being ruined, a person’s heart is proud; before being honored, a person must be humble.
18:13 To answer someone before hearing him out is both stupid and embarrassing.
18:14 A person’s spirit can sustain him when ill, but a crushed spirit — who can bear it?
18:15 The mind of a person with discernment gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
18:16 A person’s gift clears his way and gives him access to the great.
18:17 The first to state his case seems right, till the other one comes and cross-examines.
18:18 Casting lots puts an end to strife and separates powerful disputants.
18:19 It is harder to win an offended brother than a strong city; their fights are like the bars of a fortress.
18:20 A person’s belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with what his lips produce he will be filled.
18:21 The tongue has power over life and death; those who indulge it must eat its fruit.
18:22 He who finds a wife finds a great good; he has won the favor of Adonai.
18:23 The poor man speaks beseechingly, the rich man’s answer is blunt.
18:24 Some “friends” pretend to be friends, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.
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