Proverbs 18:15-24

English Standard Version

¹⁵ An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
¹⁶ A man's ^(A)gift makes room for him
    and brings him before the great.
¹⁷ The one who states his case first seems right,
    until the other comes and examines him.
^18 (B)The lot puts an end to quarrels
    and decides between powerful contenders.
¹⁹ A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
    and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
^20 (C)From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;
    he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
^21 (D)Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
    and those who love it will eat its fruits.
²² He who finds ^(E)a wife finds ^(F)a good thing
    and ^(G)obtains favor ^(H)from the Lord.
²³ The poor use entreaties,
    but ^(I)the rich answer roughly.
²⁴ A man of many companions may come to ruin,
    but ^(J)there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.