18 Unfriendly people look out for themselves;
    they bicker with sensible people.
² Fools find no pleasure in understanding,
    but only in expressing their opinion.
³ When the wicked arrive, so does contempt;
    with shame comes insult.
⁴ The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,
    a bubbling stream, a fountain of wisdom.
⁵ Favoring the wicked isn’t good;
    it denies justice to the righteous.
⁶ The lips of fools make accusations;
    their mouths elicit beatings.
⁷ The mouth of fools is their ruin;
    their lips are a trap for their lives.
⁸ The words of gossips are like choice snacks;
    they go down to the inmost parts.
⁹ Those who are lazy in their work
    are brothers to thugs.
¹⁰ The Lord’s name is a strong tower;
    the righteous run to it and find refuge.
¹¹ The riches of the wealthy are a strong city
    and like a high wall in their imagination.
¹² Pride comes before a disaster,
    but humility comes before respect.
¹³ Those who answer before they listen
    are foolish and disgraceful.
¹⁴ The human spirit sustains a sick person,
    but who can bear a broken spirit?
¹⁵ An understanding mind gains knowledge;
    the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
¹⁶ A gift opens the way
    for access to important people.
¹⁷ The first person to testify seems innocent,
    until the other comes and cross-examines him.
¹⁸ The dice settle conflicts
    and keep strong opponents apart.
¹⁹ An offended ally is more formidable than a city;
    such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
²⁰ The stomach is satisfied
by the fruit of the mouth;
    one’s lips can earn a satisfying income.
²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
    those who love it will eat its fruit.
²² He who finds a wife finds what is good,
    gaining favor from the Lord.
²³ The poor plead for help,
    but the wealthy answer harshly.
²⁴ There are persons for companionship,
    but then there are friends who are more loyal than family.