Proverbs 18

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh {and} intermeddleth with all wisdom. {Through...: or, He that separateth himself seeketh according to his desire, and intermeddleth in every business} 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. {talebearer: or, whisperer} {as wounds: or, like as when men are wounded} {most...: Heb. chambers} 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. {safe: Heb. set aloft} 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. {answereth...: Heb. returneth a word} 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.