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