Proverbs 18:12-24

New American Standard Bible

^12 (A)Before destruction the heart of a person is haughty,
But ^(B)humility goes before honor.
¹³ One who ^(C)gives an answer before he hears,
It is foolishness and shame to him.
¹⁴ The ^(D)spirit of a person can endure his sickness,
But as for a ^(E)broken spirit, who can endure it?
¹⁵ The ^[a](F)mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
And the ^(G)ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
¹⁶ A person’s ^(H)gift makes room for him
And brings him before great people.
¹⁷ The first ^[b]to plead his case seems right,
Until ^[c]another comes and examines him.
¹⁸ The cast ^(I)lot puts an end to quarrels,
And ^[d]decides between the mighty ones.
¹⁹ A brother who is offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And quarrels are like the bars of a citadel.
²⁰ With the ^[e](J)fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
^(K)He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
^21 (L)Death and life are in the ^[f]power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its ^(M)fruit.
²² He who finds a ^(N)wife finds a good thing
And ^(O)obtains favor from the Lord.
²³ A ^(P)poor person utters pleadings,
But a ^(Q)rich person ^(R)answers defiantly.
²⁴ A person of too many friends comes to ^[g]ruin,
But there is ^(S)a friend who sticks closer than a brother.