Proverbs 18:12-22

12 ¹Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But ²humility goes before honor.

13 He who ³gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.

14 The ⁴spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a ⁵broken spirit who can bear it?

15 The ⁶mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ⁷ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man's ⁸gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.

17 The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

18 The cast ⁹lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

20 With the ¹⁰fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; ¹¹He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

21 ¹²Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its ¹³fruit.

22 He who finds a ¹⁴wife finds a good thing And ¹⁵obtains favor from the LORD.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 29:23
• 2. Proverbs 15:33
• 3. Proverbs 20:25; John 7:51
• 4. Proverbs 17:22
• 5. Proverbs 15:13
• 6. Proverbs 15:14; Ephesians 1:17
• 7. Proverbs 15:31
• 8. Genesis 32:20; 1 Samuel 25:27
• 9. Proverbs 16:33
• 10. Proverbs 12:14
• 11. Proverbs 14:14
• 12. Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 13:3; Matthew 12:37
• 13. Proverbs 13:2; Isaiah 3:10; Hosea 10:13
• 14. Genesis 2:18; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 19:14; Proverbs 31:10-31
• 15. Proverbs 8:35

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "heart"
• [b] Lit "in his plea"
• [c] Lit "his neighbor"
• [d] Lit "makes a division"
• [e] I.e. speech
• [f] Lit "hand"