Words Are Deep Waters
1Whoever cuts himself off chases his own craving; he breaks out against all sound judgment. 2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, only in airing his own heart. 3When the wicked comes, contempt comes too, and with dishonor, disgrace. 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. 5It is not good to favor the guilty and push the innocent aside in judgment. 6A fool’s lips walk into a quarrel, and his mouth calls for a beating. 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his life. 8The words of a whisperer are like choice morsels; they go down to the inner chambers of the belly. 9Whoever is slack in his work is brother to the one who destroys.
A Strong Tower
10The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe. 11The wealth of the rich is his fortified city, a high wall—in his own imagination. 12Before destruction a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. 13Whoever answers before he listens—it is folly to him, and shame. 14A man’s spirit will carry him through sickness, but a broken spirit—who can bear it? 15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise goes searching for it. 16A man’s gift opens the way for him and brings him before the great. 17The first to plead his case seems right, until his neighbor comes and cross-examines him. 18The lot puts an end to strife and decides between the strong. 19A brother wronged is harder won than a fortified city, and strife is like the bars of a fortress. 20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; the harvest of his lips satisfies him. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh. 23The poor man speaks in pleas; the rich man answers harshly. 24A man of many companions comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
