Proverbs 18
The Power of the Tongue
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh And intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, And with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, To overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, And before honour is humility.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it , It is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men .
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing , And obtaineth favour of the Lord .
23 The poor useth intreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
