Summary: Prov 18:1-21 - 1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook. 5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of YHWH [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle. 20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Putting Out The Fires Jas 3:1-18 - 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though [they be] so great, and [are] driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we YHWH, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of YHWH. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13 Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality,(continued)
