Proverbs

⁵To respect the person of the wicked and be partial to him, so as to deprive the [consistently] righteous of justice, is not good. ⁶A [self-confident] fool's lips bring contention, and his mouth invites a beating. ⁷A [self-confident] fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself. ⁸The words of a whisperer or talebearer are as dainty morsels; they go down into the innermost parts of the body. ⁹He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide. ¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong. ¹¹The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high protecting wall in his own imagination and conceit.