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