Proverbs 18-21

1He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.

2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

3With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.

4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

9Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.

10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.

12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

13He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.

14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?

15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

16A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.

17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.

19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

23The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.

24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

1Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.

3A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

4Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

5A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

6Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

7All the brothers of a poor man hate him— how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.

8He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.

9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.

10Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is 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 fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

16He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.

17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

18Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

19A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.

20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.

24The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

26He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

27If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

2The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.

3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.

4The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

5The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

6Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?

7The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.

8A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.

9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?

10Differing weights and unequal measures — both are detestable to the LORD.

11Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.

12Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.

13Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.

14“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.

15There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

16Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.

17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.

18Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.

19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.

20Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.

21An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.

22Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

23Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.

24A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?

25It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.

26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.

28Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.

29The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.

30Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.

1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin.

5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.

8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.

21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.

25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!

28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.

30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.