18:16 A person’s gift makes room for him,
and leads him before important people.
18:17 The first to state his case seems right,
until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
18:18 A toss of a coin ends disputes,
and settles the issue between strong opponents.
18:19 A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city,
and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.
18:20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied,
with the product of his lips is he satisfied.
18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
18:22 The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable,
and receives a pleasurable gift from the Lord.
18:23 A poor person makes supplications,
but a rich man answers harshly.
18:24 A person who has friends may be harmed by them,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.