Châm Ngôn 18

¹Whoever keeps apart from others pursues selfish desires \q and lashes out at all good sense.^{a 2}A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, \q only in airing his own opinions. ³With wickedness comes contempt, \q and with shame comes disgrace. ⁴A person’s words can be deep waters, \q and the spring of wisdom a rushing stream. ⁵It is not good to favor the guilty \q or to deny justice to the innocent. ⁶A fool’s lips lead him into quarrels, \q and his mouth asks for a beating. ⁷A fool’s mouth is his undoing, \q and his lips trap his own life. ⁸Gossip is like tasty bites of food; \q it goes all the way down inside. ⁹Anyone who is slack in their work \q is close kin to someone who destroys. ¹⁰The name of the LORD is a fortress tower; \q the righteous run to it and are kept safe on high. ¹¹The rich think their wealth is a fortified city, \q a high wall around them, but only in their imagination. ¹²A proud heart goes before a fall, \q and humility comes before honor. ¹³To answer before listening \q is foolish and shameful. ¹⁴The human spirit can hold up under illness, \q but who can bear a broken spirit? ¹⁵A discerning mind gains knowledge, \q and the wise listen out for more. ¹⁶A gift opens doors for the giver \q and brings him into the presence of the great. ¹⁷The first to state a case sounds right, \q until the other side comes and asks questions. ¹⁸Casting lots settles disputes \q and keeps powerful opponents apart. ¹⁹A brother wronged is harder to win back than a fortified city; \q quarrels are like the bolted gates of a castle.^{b 20}People will be filled by the fruit of their words; \q they will be satisfied by the harvest of their lips. ²¹The tongue has the power of life and death, \q and those who love to talk will eat what it produces. ²²The man who finds a wife finds something good \q and receives favor from the LORD. ²³The poor must beg for mercy; \q the rich can afford to answer roughly. ²⁴Someone with many companions may still be ruined, \q but some friends stay closer than a brother.^c