16 ^aA man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men. ‡

17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

18 Casting ^alots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart. ‡

19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 ^aA man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. ‡

21 ^aDeath and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit. ‡

22 ^aHe who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord. ‡

23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers ^aroughly. ‡

24 A man who has friends¹ must himself be friendly,
^aBut there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. ‡