# Proverbs 18 (New King James Version)
The Name of the Lord Is a Strong Tower

##### Chapter 18
###### 1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;  
He rages against all wise judgment.

###### 2 A fool has no delight in understanding,  
But in expressing his own heart.

###### 3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;  
And with dishonor _comes_ reproach.

###### 4 The words of a man's mouth _are_ deep waters;  
The wellspring of wisdom _is_ a flowing brook.

###### 5 _It is_ not good to show partiality to the wicked,  
_Or_ to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

###### 6 A fool's lips enter into contention,  
And his mouth calls for blows.  

###### 7 A fool's mouth _is_ his destruction,  
And his lips _are_ the snare of his soul.  

###### 8 The words of a talebearer _are_ like tasty trifles,  
And they go down into the inmost body.

###### 9 He who is slothful in his work  
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

###### 10 The name of the Lord _is_ a strong tower;  
The righteous run to it and are safe.  

###### 11 The rich man's wealth _is_ his strong city,  
And like a high wall in his own esteem.

###### 12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,  
And before honor _is_ humility.

###### 13 He who answers a matter before he hears _it,_  
It _is_ folly and shame to him.

###### 14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,  
But who can bear a broken spirit?

###### 15 The heart 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 _one_ to plead his cause _seems_ right,  
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

###### 18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease,  
And keeps the mighty apart.

###### 19 A brother offended _is harder to win_ than a strong city,  
And contentions _are_ like the bars of a castle.

###### 20 A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;  
_From_ the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

###### 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_ uses entreaties,  
But the rich answers roughly.

###### 24 A man _who has_ friends must himself be friendly,  
But there is a friend _who_ sticks closer than a brother.