| Chapter 18 |
1 |
For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
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2 |
A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.
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3 |
With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach.
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4 |
Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
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5 |
Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
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6 |
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
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7 |
The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
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8 |
The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
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9 |
He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
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10 |
A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
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11 |
The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
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12 |
Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
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13 |
Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
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14 |
The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
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15 |
The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
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16 |
The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
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17 |
Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
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18 |
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
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19 |
A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
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20 |
From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.
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21 |
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
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22 |
[Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
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23 |
[With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
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24 |
A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
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