The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; Eph 5:15-17Jer 15:17Pro 2:1-6Pro 20:3Pro 24:21Jud 1:19Mrk 1:35Isa 26:8-9
he rebels against all sound judgment.
A fool does not delight in understanding, Pro 1:7Pro 12:23Pro 17:16Psa 1:1-2Pro 13:161Co 8:1Ecc 10:31Co 14:12
but only in airing his opinions.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, 1Pe 4:14Pro 22:101Pe 4:4Pro 11:2Pro 29:161Sa 20:30Neh 4:4Psa 123:3-4
and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; Pro 20:5Pro 10:11Col 4:6Jhn 4:14Pro 13:14Jhn 7:38-39Col 3:16Mat 12:34
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Showing partiality 1to the wicked is not good, Lev 19:15Deu 16:19Pro 28:21Psa 82:2Pro 17:15Pro 24:23Deu 1:16-17Isa 5:23
nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, Pro 27:3Pro 16:27-28Pro 22:24-25Pro 12:16Pro 13:10Pro 14:16Pro 14:3Pro 17:14
and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, Pro 13:3Pro 10:14Pro 12:13Psa 64:8Psa 140:9Ecc 10:11-14Act 23:14-22Pro 10:8
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels Lev 19:16Pro 12:18Pro 16:28Pro 26:20-22Psa 52:2Psa 64:3-4
that go down into the inmost being.
Whoever is slothful in his work Pro 10:4Heb 6:12Pro 24:30-34Pro 23:20-21Rom 12:11Mat 25:26Pro 28:24Luk 15:13-14
is brother to him who destroys.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; 2Sa 22:3Isa 26:4Psa 91:2Psa 144:2Psa 61:3-4Psa 27:1Psa 18:2Gen 17:1
the righteous run to it 2and are safe.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; Pro 10:15Ecc 7:12Psa 52:5-7Deu 32:31Luk 12:19-21Pro 11:4Psa 49:6-9Job 31:24-25
it is like a high wall in his imagination.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, Pro 15:331Pe 5:5Ezk 28:2Pro 11:2Pro 16:18Luk 14:11Pro 29:23Ezk 28:9
but humility comes before honor.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— Jhn 7:51Deu 13:14Pro 20:25Job 29:16Est 8:5-172Sa 16:42Sa 19:24-30Dan 6:14
this is folly and disgrace to him.
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, Pro 15:13Pro 17:222Co 12:9-101Pe 1:6Jas 1:2Psa 147:32Co 2:7Psa 77:2-3
but who can survive a broken spirit?
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, Jas 1:5Pro 15:14Luk 10:39Pro 1:5Pro 9:91Ki 3:9Pro 23:23Pro 4:7
and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, Pro 19:6Gen 33:10Gen 43:111Sa 25:27Pro 17:8Gen 32:20Pro 21:14
and brings him before great men.
The first to state his case seems right Pro 18:13Act 24:12-132Sa 19:24-272Sa 16:1-3Act 24:5-6
until another comes and cross-examines him.
Casting the lot ends quarrels Pro 16:33Neh 11:11Ch 24:311Ch 6:631Sa 10:21-271Sa 14:42Jos 14:2
and separates strong opponents.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, Pro 16:32Act 15:39Pro 6:191Ki 12:16Gen 37:3-5Gen 27:41-45Gen 4:5-81Ki 2:23-25
and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; Pro 12:13-14Pro 25:11-12Pro 13:2Pro 22:18Pro 22:21
with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, Eph 4:29Mat 12:35-37Col 4:6Pro 10:19-21Jas 3:6-9Pro 13:2-3Pro 10:31Pro 18:4-7
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing Pro 19:14Pro 31:10-31Pro 12:4Ecc 9:91Co 7:2Gen 2:18Pro 5:15-23Hos 12:12
and obtains favor from the LORD.
The poor man pleads for mercy, Jas 2:3Exo 5:2Jas 1:9-11Jas 2:61Sa 25:172Ki 4:1-2Isa 66:21Sa 2:36
but the rich man answers harshly.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, Pro 17:17Jhn 15:13-15Pro 27:92Sa 1:261Sa 19:4-52Sa 9:1-132Sa 21:72Sa 16:17
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.