Proverbs 18:19-24

19 An offended brother is [harder to reach]^[a] 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.^[b]

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

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

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

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

Footnotes

• [a]. LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger
• [b]. Pr 1:31; 12:14; 14:14
• [c]. Pr 13:2; Mt 15:11,18-20; Jms 3:8
• [d]. Pr 19:14; 31:10
• [e]. Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly
• [f]. Pr 17:17; 27:10; Jn 15:13