13 One who (A)gives an answer before he hears,
It is foolishness and shame to him.
14 The (B)spirit of a person can endure his sickness,
But as for a (C)broken spirit, who can endure it?
15 The [a](D)mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
And the (E)ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A person’s (F)gift makes room for him
And brings him before great people.
17 The first [b]to plead his case seems right,
Until [c]another comes and examines him.
18 The cast (G)lot puts an end to quarrels,
And [d]decides between the mighty ones.
19 A brother who is offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And quarrels are like the bars of a citadel.
20 With the [e](H)fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
(I)He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
21 (J)Death and life are in the [f]power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its (K)fruit.
22 He who finds a (L)wife finds a good thing
And (M)obtains favor from the Lord.
23 A (N)poor person utters pleadings,
But a (O)rich person (P)answers defiantly.
24 A person of too many friends comes to [g]ruin,
But there is (Q)a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:15 Lit heart
  2. Proverbs 18:17 Lit in his plea
  3. Proverbs 18:17 Lit his neighbor
  4. Proverbs 18:18 Lit makes a division
  5. Proverbs 18:20 I.e., speech
  6. Proverbs 18:21 Lit hand
  7. Proverbs 18:24 Lit be broken in pieces

13 To answer before listening—
    that is folly and shame.(A)

14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
    but a crushed spirit who can bear?(B)

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(C)
    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

16 A gift(D) opens the way
    and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
    until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

18 Casting the lot settles disputes(E)
    and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 A brother wronged(F) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
    with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.(G)

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,(H)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.(I)

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good(J)
    and receives favor from the Lord.(K)

23 The poor plead for mercy,
    but the rich answer harshly.

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(L)

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