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Chapter 18
1An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends;
he defies all sound judgment.
2A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing his own opinions.
3When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes disgrace.
4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters,
but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5It is not good to be partial to the wicked
or to deprive the innocent of justice.
6A fool's lips bring him strife,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7A fool's mouth is his undoing,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to a man's inmost parts.
9One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;
they imagine it an unscalable wall.
12Before his downfall a man's heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
13He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame.
14A man's spirit sustains him in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;
the ears of the wise seek it out.
16A gift opens the way for the giver
and ushers him into the presence of the great.
17The first to present his case seems right,
till another comes forward and questions him.
18Casting the lot settles disputes
and keeps strong opponents apart.
19An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city,
and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled;
with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the LORD.
23A poor man pleads for mercy,
but a rich man answers harshly.
24A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Chapter 19
1Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way.
3A man's own folly ruins his life,
yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4Wealth brings many friends,
but a poor man's friend deserts him.
5A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who pours out lies will not go free.
6Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.
7A poor man is shunned by all his relatives—
how much more do his friends avoid him!
Though he pursues them with pleading,
they are nowhere to be found.The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
he who cherishes understanding prospers.
9A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who pours out lies will perish.
10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
12A king's rage is like the roar of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13A foolish son is his father's ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and the shiftless man goes hungry.
16He who obeys instructions guards his life,
but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.
17He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will reward him for what he has done.
18Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to his death.
19A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty;
if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
20Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.
21Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
22What a man desires is unfailing loveOr A man's greed is his shame;
better to be poor than a liar.
23The fear of the LORD leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
25Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26He who robs his father and drives out his mother
is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
29Penalties are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.
Chapter 20
1Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion;
he who angers him forfeits his life.
3It is to a man's honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4A sluggard does not plow in season;
so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
5The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out.
6Many a man claims to have unfailing love,
but a faithful man who can find?
7The righteous man leads a blameless life;
blessed are his children after him.
8When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”?
10Differing weights and differing measures—
the LORD detests them both.
11Even a child is known by his actions,
by whether his conduct is pure and right.
12Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the LORD has made them both.
13Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14“It's no good, it's no good!” says the buyer;
then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.
15Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.
17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man,
but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
18Make plans by seeking advice;
if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid a man who talks too much.
20If a man curses his father or mother,
his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
21An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning
will not be blessed at the end.
22Do not say, “I'll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
23The LORD detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.
24A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider his vows.
26A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.
27The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a manOr The spirit of man is the LORD's lamp;
it searches out his inmost being.
28Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure.
29The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.
30Blows and wounds cleanse away evil,
and beatings purge the inmost being.

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