Proverbs of Solomon 18 — The Holy Bible

Words and Works

A man seeks a pretext when he wishes to separate from his friends,

But he shall be reproached at every opportunity.

A man lacking understanding has no need of wisdom,

For he is rather led by lack of discernment.

When an ungodly man comes into the depth of evil things, he acts contemptuously,

But dishonor and reproach come upon him.

A word in the heart of a man is deep water,

And a river and a fountain of life spring up from it.

It is not good to admire the person of the ungodly,

Nor is it holy to pervert righteousness in judgment.

The lips of a man without discernment lead him into evil things,

And his rash mouth calls upon death.

The mouth of a man without discernment is destruction to him,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Fear destroys slothful men,

And the souls of cowardly men shall hunger.

He who does not heal himself by his works,

He is the brother of him who maltreats himself.

The name of the Lord is of great strength,

And when the righteous run to it, they are exalted.

The substance of a rich man is a strong city,

And its glory casts a great shadow.

Before its destruction, the heart of a man exalts itself,

And before its glory, it humbles itself.

He who replies to a word before he hears it

Lacks discernment, and this is a reproach to him.

A servant with discernment calms the anger of a man,

But who can support a discouraged man?

A heart of discernment gains perception,

And the ears of the wise seek understanding.

The gift of a man enlarges him

And seats him beside princes.

When a prosecutor speaks first, he seems righteous,

But when the defendant examines his case, he is reproved.

An allotment of land ends controversies,

And it determines the boundary between princes.

A brother aided by his brother is like a strong and fortified city,

And he is strong like a well-founded palace.

From the fruits of his mouth a man fills his stomach,

And from the fruits of his lips he will fill himself to the full.

Life and death are in the hand of a tongue,

And those who rule over it will eat the fruits thereof.

He who finds a good wife finds benefits

And receives cheerfulness from God.

He who casts out a good wife casts out good things,

And he who keeps adulteresses is without discernment and is ungodly.