Proverbs 17:27-18:21
New International Version
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(A)
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(B)
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.(C)
18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.(D)
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,(E)
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.(H)
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.(K)
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.(L)
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;(O)
they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.(P)
13 To answer before listening—
that is folly and shame.(Q)
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?(R)
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(S)
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A gift(T) 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(U)
and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother wronged(V) 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.(W)
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