Proverbs 18 - Christian Standard Bible Anglicised

¹ One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom.

² A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.  ,

³ When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes, and along with dishonour, derision.

⁴ The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.

⁵ It is not good to show partiality to the guilty, denying an innocent person justice.

⁶ A fool’s lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.

⁷ A fool’s mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life.

⁸ A gossip’s words are like delicacies that go down to one’s innermost being.  ,

⁹ The one who is lazy in his work is brother to a vandal.  ,

¹⁰ The name of the  Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.  ,

¹¹ The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.

¹² Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honour.

¹³ The one who gives an answer before he listens – this is foolishness and disgrace for him.

¹⁴ A person’s spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?

¹⁵ The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.

¹⁶ A person’s gift opens doors  for him and brings him before the great.

¹⁷ The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

¹⁸ Casting the lot  ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.

¹⁹ An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰ From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the  Lord.

²³ The poor person pleads, but the rich one answers roughly.

²⁴ One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.