DAY 18 - PROVERBS 18
He who separates himself indulges his desires and shows contempt for sound advice of any kind. A fool takes no pleasure in trying to understand; he only wants to express his own opinion. When a wicked person comes, contempt comes too, and with disdain, provocation. The words of a man's mouth are deep water, a gushing torrent, a fountain of wisdom. It is not good to be partial to the guilty and thus deprive the innocent of justice.
A fool's words get him into fights; yes, his mouth calls out for a beating. A fool's mouth is his ruin; his words are a trap for him. A slanderer's words are tasty morsels; they slide right down into the belly.
Whoever is lazy in doing his work is brother to the destroyer.
The name of YAHWEH is a strong tower; a righteous person runs to it and is raised high [above danger].
The wealth of the rich is his fortified city, like a high wall, in his own imagination. Before being ruined, a person's heart is proud; before being honored, a person must be humble.
To answer someone before hearing him out is both stupid and embarrassing.
A person's spirit can sustain him when ill, but a crushed spirit - who can bear it? The mind of a person with discernment gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
A person's gift clears his way and gives him access to the great.
The first to state his case seems right, till the other one comes and cross-examines. Casting lots puts an end to strife and separates powerful disputants. It is harder to win an offended brother than a strong city; their fights are like the bars of a fortress.
A person's belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with what his lips produce he will be filled. The tongue has power over life and death; those who indulge it must eat its fruit.
He who finds a wife finds a great good; he has won the favor of YAHWEH.
The poor man speaks beseechingly, the rich man's answer is blunt.
Some "friends" pretend to be friends, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.