Proverbs 18 Contemporary English Version

It's Wrong To Favor the Guilty

18 It's selfish and stupid
    to think only of yourself
and to sneer at people
    who have sense.^[a]
²Fools have no desire to learn,
instead they would rather
    give their own opinion.
³Wrongdoing leads to shame
    and disgrace.
⁴Words of wisdom
are a stream that flows
    from a deep fountain.
⁵It's wrong to favor the guilty
and keep the innocent
    from getting justice.

⁶Foolish talk will get you
    into a lot of trouble.
⁷Saying foolish things
is like setting a trap
    to destroy yourself.
⁸There's nothing so delicious
as the taste of gossip!
    It melts in your mouth.
⁹Being lazy is no different
    from being a troublemaker.

¹⁰The Lord is a mighty tower
where his people can run
for safety—
¹¹the rich think their money
is a wall of protection.

¹²Pride leads to destruction;
    humility leads to honor.
¹³^(A) It's stupid and embarrassing
to give an answer
    before you listen.
¹⁴Being cheerful helps
    when you are sick,
but nothing helps
    when you give up.
¹⁵Everyone with good sense
    wants to learn.
¹⁶A gift will get you in
    to see anyone.
¹⁷You may think you have won
your case in court,
    until your opponent speaks.
¹⁸Drawing straws is one way
    to settle a difficult case.
¹⁹Making up with a friend
    you have offended^[b]
is harder than breaking
    through a city wall.

²⁰Make your words good—
    you will be glad you did.
²¹Words can bring death or life!
Talk too much, and you will eat
    everything you say.
²²^(B) A man's greatest treasure
is his wife—
    she is a gift from the Lord.
²³The poor must beg for help,
but the rich can give
    a harsh reply.
²⁴Some friends don't help,^[c]
but a true friend is closer
    than your own family.