Proverbs 18  New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition

18 The one who lives alone is self-indulgent,
    showing contempt for all who have sound judgement.^[a]
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only in expressing personal opinion.
³ When wickedness comes, contempt comes also;
    and with dishonour comes disgrace.
⁴ The words of the mouth are deep waters;
    the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
⁵ It is not right to be partial to the guilty,
    or to subvert the innocent in judgement.
⁶ A fool’s lips bring strife,
    and a fool’s mouth invites a flogging.
⁷ The mouths of fools are their ruin,
    and their lips a snare to themselves.
⁸ The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.
⁹ One who is slack in work
    is close kin to a vandal.
¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
    the righteous run into it and are safe.
¹¹ The wealth of the rich is their strong city;
    in their imagination it is like a high wall.
¹² Before destruction one’s heart is haughty,
    but humility goes before honour.
¹³ If one gives answer before hearing,
    it is folly and shame.
¹⁴ The human spirit will endure sickness;
    but a broken spirit—who can bear?
¹⁵ An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
¹⁶ A gift opens doors;
    it gives access to the great.
¹⁷ The one who first states a case seems right,
    until the other comes and cross-examines.
¹⁸ Casting the lot puts an end to disputes
    and decides between powerful contenders.
¹⁹ An ally offended is stronger than a city;^[b]
    such quarrelling is like the bars of a castle.
²⁰ From the fruit of the mouth one’s stomach is satisfied;
    the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.
²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
    and those who love it will eat its fruits.
²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
    and obtains favour from the Lord.
²³ The poor use entreaties,
    but the rich answer roughly.
²⁴ Some^[c] friends play at friendship^[d]
    but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.