Proverbs [Sayings] 18:17-24

¹⁷He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.

¹⁸The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

¹⁹A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who 'ahav ·affectionately love· it will eat its fruit.

²²Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Adonai .

²³The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

²⁴A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a 'ahav ·affectionate lover, friend· who sticks closer than a brother.