18 Whoever ^(A)isolates himself seeks his own desire;
    he breaks out against all sound judgment.
² A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only ^(B)in expressing his opinion.
³ When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
    and with dishonor comes disgrace.
⁴ The words of a man's mouth are ^(C)deep waters;
    the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
⁵ It is not good to ^(D)be partial to^[a] the wicked
    or to ^(E)deprive the righteous of justice.
⁶ A fool's lips walk into a fight,
    and his mouth invites ^(F)a beating.
^7 (G)A fool's mouth is his ruin,
    and his lips are a snare to his soul.
^8 (H)The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into ^(I)the inner parts of the body.
⁹ Whoever is slack in his work
    is a ^(J)brother to him who destroys.
^10 (K)The name of the Lord is ^(L)a strong tower;
    the righteous man runs into it and ^(M)is safe.
^11 (N)A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
    and like a high wall in his imagination.
^12 (O)Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
    but ^(P)humility comes before honor.
¹³ If one gives an answer ^(Q)before he hears,
    it is his folly and shame.
¹⁴ A man's spirit will endure sickness,
    but ^(R)a crushed spirit who can bear?
¹⁵ An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
¹⁶ A man's ^(S)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 (T)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 (U)From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;
    he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
^21 (V)Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
    and those who love it will eat its fruits.
²² He who finds ^(W)a wife finds ^(X)a good thing
    and ^(Y)obtains favor ^(Z)from the Lord.
²³ The poor use entreaties,
    but ^(AA)the rich answer roughly.
²⁴ A man of many companions may come to ruin,
    but ^(AB)there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.