| Chapter 18 |
1 | For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth. |
2 | A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart. |
3 | With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach. |
4 | Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook. |
5 | Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment. |
6 | The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth. |
7 | The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul. |
8 | The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart. |
9 | He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer. |
10 | A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high. |
11 | The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination. |
12 | Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility. |
13 | Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame. |
14 | The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear? |
15 | The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. |
16 | The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him. |
17 | Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him. |
18 | The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth. |
19 | A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace. |
20 | From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied. |
21 | Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit. |
22 | [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah. |
23 | [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things. |
24 | A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother! |