18:1. He that hath a mind to depart from a friend, seeketh occasions:
he shall ever be subject to reproach.
18:2. A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those
things which are in his heart.
18:3. The wicked man, when he is come into the depth of sins,
contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
18:4. Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and the fountain
of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
18:5. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline
from the truth of judgment.
18:6. The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth
provoketh quarrels.
18:7. The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin
of his soul.
18:8. The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and
they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the
slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
18:9. He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him
that wasteth his own works.
18:10. The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it,
and shall be exalted.
18:11. The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and
as a strong wall compassing him about.
18:12. Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he
be glorified, it is humbled.
18:13. He that answereth before he heareth, sheweth himself to be a
fool, and worthy of confusion.
18:14. The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that
is easily angered, who can bear?
18:15. A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise
seeketh instruction.
18:16. A man’s gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before
princes.
18:17. The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and
shall search him.
18:18. The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between
the mighty.
18:19. A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city:
and judgments are like the bars of cities.
18:20. Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and
the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
18:21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love
it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
18:22. He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and
shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good
wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is
foolish and wicked.
18:23. The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak
roughly.
18:24. A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.