Proverbs 18 A person isolates themselves for selfish desires, and rejects all sound judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace. The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice. A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. the name of YHWH is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. The rich person’s wealth is their fortified city, like an unscalable wall in their imagination. Before destruction a person’s heart is proud, but before honor is humility. He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. A person’s spirit will sustain them in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear? The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A person’s gift enlarges possibilities for them, and brings them before the great. He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him. The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart. A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress. A person’s stomach is filled with the fruit of their mouth. With the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of YHWH. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. A person of many friends may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.