Proverbs 18

1 He who is selfish seeks a craving;*Or "boundary"

against all sound judgment he shows contempt.

2 A fool will not take pleasure in understanding,

but in expressing his heart.*Or "mind"

3 With the coming of wickedness comes contempt also,

and with dishonor, disgrace.

4 Deep waters are words of the mouth of a man;

a gushing stream is a fountain of wisdom.

5 Being partial to faces of evil is not good,

nor to subvert the righteous at the judgment.

6 The lips of a fool will bring strife,

and his mouth calls out for a flogging.

7 The mouth of a fool is ruin to him,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.*Or "life," or "inner self"

8 The words of a whisper are like delicious morsels,

and they themselves go down to inner parts of the body.

9 Even he who is slack in his work,

he is brother to a master*Or "owner" of destruction.

10 A tower of strength is the name of Yahweh;

into him*Or "it" the righteous will run and be safe.

11 The wealth of the rich is his strong city,*Literally "a city of his strength"

and like a wall, it is high in his imagination.

12 In the presence of destruction, the heart*Or "mind" of a man will be haughty,

but in the presence of honor, humble.

13 He who returns a word before he will hear,

folly itself belongs to him as well as*Hebrew "and" shame.

14 The spirit of a man will endure his sickness,

but a broken spirit, who may bear it?