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deep waters

Proverbs 18:1-24 (JDV).

Proverbs 18:1 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom.
Proverbs 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.
Proverbs 18:3 When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes, and along with dishonor, derision.
Proverbs 18:4 The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.
Proverbs 18:5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty, denying an innocent person justice.
Proverbs 18:6 A fool’s lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.
Proverbs 18:7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his throat.
Proverbs 18:8 A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.
Proverbs 18:9 The one who is lazy in his work is brother to a vandal.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of Yahveh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
Proverbs 18:11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.
Proverbs 18:12 Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 18:13 The one who gives an answer before he listens — this is foolishness and disgrace for him.
Proverbs 18:14 A person’s breath can endure sickness, but who can survive a beaten breath?
Proverbs 18:15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.
Proverbs 18:16 A person’s gift opens doors for him and brings him before the great.
Proverbs 18:17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
Proverbs 18:18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.
Proverbs 18:19 An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
Proverbs 18:20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from Yahveh.
Proverbs 18:23 The poor person pleads, but the rich one answers roughly.
Proverbs 18:24 One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

deep waters

From our mouths can come the deep waters of wisdom, or the troubled waters of foolishness. The choice is ours every day. This tongue is a rudder that can steer a large ship. May we learn to steer it wisely.