Proverbs, chapter 18

It's Wrong To Favor the Guilty

It's selfish and stupid to think only of yourself

and to sneer at people who have sense.*

²Fools have no desire to learn,

instead they would rather give their own opinion.

³Wrongdoing leads to shame and disgrace.

⁴Words of wisdom are a stream

that flows from a deep fountainO.

⁵It's wrong to favor the guilty

and keep the innocent from getting justice.

⁶Foolish talkI will get you into a lot of trouble.

⁷Saying foolish things is like setting a trap

to destroy yourself.

⁸ CThere's nothing so delicious as the taste of gossip!

It melts in your mouth.

⁹Being lazy is no different from being a troublemaker.

¹⁰The Lord is a mighty towerO

where his people can run for safety—

¹¹the rich think their money is a wall of protection.

¹²Pride leads to destruction; humilityI leads to honor.

¹³It's stupid and embarrassing

to give an answer before you listen.

¹⁴Being cheerful helps when you are sick,

but nothing helps when you give up.

¹⁵Everyone with good sense wants to learn.

¹⁶A giftO will get you in to see anyone.

¹⁷You may think you have won your case in court,

until your opponent speaks.

¹⁸Drawing strawsH is one way to settle a difficult case.

¹⁹Making up with a friend you have offended*

is harder than breaking through a city wall.

²⁰Make your words good— you will be glad you did.

Make your words good—you will be glad you did.

— Prov 18.20

²¹ CWords can bring death or life!

Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.

²²A man's greatest treasure is his wife—

she is a giftP from the Lord.

²³The poor must beg for help,

but the rich can give a harsh reply.

²⁴Some friends don't help,*

but a true friend is closer than your own family.