Proverbs 18
Authorized (King James) Version
18 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 the Lord 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.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
23 The poor useth intreaties;
but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:
and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18
New Living Translation
18 Unfriendly people care only about themselves;
they lash out at common sense.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding;
they only want to air their own opinions.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace,
and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4 Wise words are like deep waters;
wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5 It is not right to acquit the guilty
or deny justice to the innocent.
6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
they are asking for a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin;
they trap themselves with their lips.
8 Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.
9 A lazy person is as bad as
someone who destroys things.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.
11 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense;
they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction;
humility precedes honor.
13 Spouting off before listening to the facts
is both shameful and foolish.
14 The human spirit can endure a sick body,
but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
Their ears are open for knowledge.
16 Giving a gift can open doors;
it gives access to important people!
17 The first to speak in court sounds right—
until the cross-examination begins.
18 Flipping a coin[a] can end arguments;
it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.
21 The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
and he receives favor from the Lord.
23 The poor plead for mercy;
the rich answer with insults.
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other,
but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Footnotes
- 18:18 Hebrew Casting lots.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
