Proverbs 18:8-1953 kjv — The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. He also that is slothf…

“The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts. He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer. The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honorgoethhumility. He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear? The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men. He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out. The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty. A brother offendedis harder to be won than a strong city; Andsuchcontentions are like the bars of a castle. A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah. The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly. He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. ”

“The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person's innermost parts. One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear? The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him. The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart. A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a castle. A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; and they have gone down into the person’s innermost being. The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys. The name of the LORD is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high. The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination. Before destruction the heart of a person is proud, but humility comes before honor. The one who gives an answer before he listens– that is his folly and his shame. A person’s spirit sustains him through sickness– but who can bear a crushed spirit? The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge. A person’s gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people. The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him. A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents. A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel. From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied, with the product of his lips he will be satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit. The one who has found a good wife has found what goodness is, and obtained a delightful gift from the LORD. A poor person makes supplications, but a rich man answers harshly. There are companions who harm one another, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”