50 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
50 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 18
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1 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
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he rebels against all sound wisdom.
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2 A fool does not delight in understanding,
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but only wants to show off his opinions.
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3 When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,
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and along with dishonor, derision.
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4 The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,
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a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.
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5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty,
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denying an innocent person justice.
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6 A fool’s lips lead to strife,
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and his mouth provokes a beating.
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7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
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and his lips are a trap for his life.
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8 A gossip’s words are like choice food
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that goes down to one’s innermost being.
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9 The one who is lazy in his work
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is brother to a vandal.
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10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
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the righteous run to it and are protected.
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11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;
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in his imagination it is like a high wall.
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12 Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud,
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but humility comes before honor.
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13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—
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this is foolishness and disgrace for him.
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14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
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but who can survive a broken spirit?
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15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
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and the ear of the wise seeks it.
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16 A person’s gift opens doors for him
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and brings him before the great.
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17 The first to state his case seems right
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until another comes and cross-examines him.
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18 Casting the lot ends quarrels
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and separates powerful opponents.
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19 An offended brother is harder to reach
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than a fortified city,
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and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
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20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
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he is filled with the product of his lips.
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21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
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and those who love it will eat its fruit.
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22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing
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and obtains favor from the Lord.
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23 The poor person pleads,
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but the rich one answers roughly.
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24 One with many friends may be harmed,
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but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. |