NAS - Proverbs Chapter 18 to 19

18 Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

¹He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. ² A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. ³ When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn. ⁴ The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. ⁵ To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment. ⁶ A fool's lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows. ⁷A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul. ⁸The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. ⁹ He also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys. ¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. ¹¹ A rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination. ¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor. ¹³ He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him. ¹⁴ The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it? ¹⁵ The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. ¹⁶ A man's gift makes room for him And brings him before great men. ¹⁷ The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. ¹⁸ The cast lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones. ¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel. ²⁰ With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. ²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. ²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD. ²³ The poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly. ²⁴A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

19 On Life and Conduct

¹Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool. ² Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps errs. ³ The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the LORD. ⁴ Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend. ⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will not escape. ⁶ Many will seek the favor of a generous man, And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts. ⁷ All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone. ⁸ He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. ⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will perish. ¹⁰ Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes. ¹¹ A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression. ¹² The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass. ¹³ A foolish son is destruction to his father, And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping. ¹⁴ House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD. ¹⁵ Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger. ¹⁶ He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of conduct will die. ¹⁷ One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed. ¹⁸ Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death. ¹⁹ A man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it 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 counsel of the LORD will stand. ²² What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar. ²³ The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. ²⁴ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, But will not even bring it back to his mouth. ²⁵ Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge. ²⁶He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son. ²⁷ Cease listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge. ²⁸ A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity. ²⁹ Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And blows for the back of fools.