Proverbs 18:17-19:2

New International Version

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

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

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

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

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

²²He who finds a wife finds what is good^(F)
and receives favor from the Lord.^(G)

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

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

19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.^(I)

²Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!^(J)

Proverbs 18:17-19:2

King James Version

¹⁷He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²²Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

²³The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

²⁴A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

19 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

²Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

New International Version (NIV)