Proverbs 18:16-24

16 A gift opens doors^[a] for a man and brings him before the great.^[b]

17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.^[c]

18 [Casting] the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.

19 An offended brother is [harder to reach]^[d] than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.^[e]

21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.^[f]

22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.^[g]

23 The poor man pleads, but the rich one answers roughly.

24 A man with many friends may be harmed,^[h] but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.^[i]

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