the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Proverbs 18
1 He who stays away from others cares only about himself. He argues against all good wisdom.
2 A fool does not find joy in understanding, but only in letting his own mind be known.
3 When a sinful man comes, hate comes also, and where there is no honor, there is shame.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. Wisdom comes like a flowing river making a pleasant noise.
5 It is not good to favor the sinful, or to keep what is fair from one who is right with God.
6 The lips of a fool bring fighting, and his mouth calls for a beating.
7 The mouth of a fool is what destroys him, and his lips are a trap to his soul.
8 The words of one who speaks about others in secret are like tempting bites of food. They go down into the inside parts of the body.
9 He who is lazy in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The man who does what is right runs into it and is safe.
11 The rich man's money is his strong city, and he thinks it is like a high wall.
12 The heart of a man is proud before he is destroyed, but having no pride goes before honor.
13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it makes him foolish and ashamed.
14 The spirit of a man can help him through his sickness, but who can carry a broken spirit?
15 An understanding mind gets much learning, and the ear of the wise listens for much learning.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him in front of great men.
17 He who tells his story first makes people think he is right, until the other comes to test him.
18 Throwing an object to decide puts an end to arguing. It keeps powerful men from fighting.
19 A brother who has been hurt in his spirit is harder to be won than a strong city, and arguing is like the iron gates of a king's house.
20 A man's stomach will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be filled with what his lips speak.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and gets favor from the Lord.
23 The poor man asks for loving-kindness, but the rich man is hard in his answers.
24 A man who has friends must be a friend, but there is a friend who stays nearer than a brother.
