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Proverbs 18:9-22
King James Version
Proverbs 18:9-22
King James Version
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.
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Proverbs 18:9-22
New International Version
Proverbs 18:9-22
New International Version
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.(A)
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;(D)
they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.(E)
13 To answer before listening—
that is folly and shame.(F)
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?(G)
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(H)
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A gift(I) opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes(J)
and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother wronged(K) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.(L)
Proverbs 18:9-22
English Standard Version
Proverbs 18:9-22
English Standard Version
9 Whoever is slack in his work
is a (A)brother to him who destroys.
10 (B)The name of the Lord is (C)a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and (D)is safe.
11 (E)A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 (F)Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
but (G)humility comes before honor.
13 If one gives an answer (H)before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
14 A man's spirit will endure sickness,
but (I)a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's (J)gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.
17 The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
18 (K)The lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 (L)From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 (M)Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds (N)a wife finds (O)a good thing
and (P)obtains favor (Q)from the Lord.
Proverbs 18:9-22
Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 18:9-22
Christian Standard Bible
11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.(D)
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.(G)
14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?(H)
15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.(I)
17 The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.(K)
18 Casting the lot(L) ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.
19 An offended brother is harder to reach[d]
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.(M)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.(N)
Proverbs 18:9-22
New American Standard Bible 1995
Proverbs 18:9-22
New American Standard Bible 1995
9 He also who is (A)slack in his work
(B)Is brother to him who destroys.
10 The (C)name of the Lord is a (D)strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and (E)is [a]safe.
11 A (F)rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own imagination.
12 (G)Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
But (H)humility goes before honor.
13 He who (I)gives an answer before he hears,
It is folly and shame to him.
14 The (J)spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
But as for a (K)broken spirit who can bear it?
15 The [b](L)mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the (M)ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s (N)gift makes room for him
And brings him before great men.
17 The first [c]to plead his case seems right,
Until [d]another comes and examines him.
18 The cast (O)lot puts an end to strife
And [e]decides between the mighty ones.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
20 With the [f](P)fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
(Q)He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
21 (R)Death and life are in the [g]power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its (S)fruit.
22 He who finds a (T)wife finds a good thing
And (U)obtains favor from the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:10 Lit set on high
- Proverbs 18:15 Lit heart
- Proverbs 18:17 Lit in his plea
- Proverbs 18:17 Lit his neighbor
- Proverbs 18:18 Lit makes a division
- Proverbs 18:20 I.e. speech
- Proverbs 18:21 Lit hand
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.