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

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