| Chapter 18 |
1 |
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, And defies all sound judgment. -
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2 |
A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in broadcasting his own opinion. -
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3 |
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, And with shame comes disgrace. -
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4 |
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. -
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5 |
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, Nor to deprive the innocent of justice. -
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6 |
A fool's lips come into strife, And his mouth invites beatings. -
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7 |
A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare to his soul. -
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8 |
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: They go down into a person's innermost parts. -
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9 |
One who is slack in his work Is brother to him who is a master of destruction. -
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10 |
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: The righteous run to him, and are safe. -
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11 |
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, Like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. -
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12 |
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, But before honor is humility. -
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13 |
He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him. -
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14 |
A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, But a crushed spirit who can bear? -
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15 |
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. -
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16 |
A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. -
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17 |
He who pleads his cause first seems right; Until another comes and questions him. -
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18 |
The lot settles disputes, And keeps strong ones apart. -
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19 |
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; And disputes are like the bars of a castle. -
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20 |
A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. -
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21 |
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; Those who love it will eat its fruit. -
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22 |
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor of Yahweh. -
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23 |
The poor pleads for mercy, But the rich answers harshly. -
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24 |
A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. -
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