Proverbs 18
International Standard Version
How Fools Talk
18 Whoever isolates himself pursues selfish ends;
he resists all sound advice.
2 A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand,
for he would rather express his own opinion.
3 When an evil person comes, contempt also comes,
along with dishonor and disgrace.
4 The words a man says are as deep waters—
a fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
5 It’s not good to be partial towards an evil person,
thereby depriving the righteous of justice.
6 A fool’s words[a] bring strife,
and his mouth invites fighting.
7 A fool’s mouth is his unraveling,
and his lips entrap himself.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels
as they descend to the innermost parts of the body.
Avoiding Fools and Their Foolishness
9 Whoever is lazy regarding his work
is also a brother to the master of destruction.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
a righteous person rushes to it and is lifted up above the danger.[b]
11 The wealth of a rich person is his fortified city;
in his own imagination, it is like a high wall.
12 Before a man’s downfall, his mind[c] is arrogant,
but humility precedes honor.
13 Whoever answers before listening
is both foolish and shameful.
14 A man’s spirit can sustain him during his illness,
but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 The mind[d] of a discerning person gains knowledge,
while the ears of wise people seek out knowledge.
16 A person’s gift opens doors for him,
bringing him access to important people.
17 The first to put forth his case seems right,
until someone else steps forward and cross-examines him.
18 Casting dice settles a dispute,
deciding between strong contenders.
19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city,
and his disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 The positive words that a man speaks[e] fill his stomach;
he will be satisfied with what his lips produce.
21 The power of the tongue is life and death—
those who love to talk[f] will eat what it produces.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds what is good,
and receives favor from the Lord.
23 The poor person pleads for mercy,
but the wealthy man responds harshly.
24 A man with many[g] friends can still be ruined,
but one who keeps on loving sticks closer than a brother.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:6 Lit. lips
- Proverbs 18:10 The Heb. lacks above the danger
- Proverbs 18:12 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 18:15 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 18:20 Lit. words from a man’s mouth
- Proverbs 18:21 Lit. love it
- Proverbs 18:24 The Heb. lacks many
Proverbs 18
New American Standard Bible
Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked
18 One who separates himself seeks his own desire;
He [a](A)quarrels against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding,
But (B)in revealing his own [b]mind.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,
And with dishonor comes taunting.
4 The words of a person’s mouth are (C)deep waters;
[c]The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 To (D)show partiality to the wicked is not good,
Nor to (E)suppress the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips [d]bring strife,
And his mouth invites (F)beatings.
7 A (G)fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the [e]innermost parts of the body.
9 He also who is (H)lax in his work
(I)Is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The (J)name of the Lord is a (K)strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and (L)is [f]safe.
11 A (M)rich person’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own imagination.
12 (N)Before destruction the heart of a person is haughty,
But (O)humility goes before honor.
13 One who (P)gives an answer before he hears,
It is foolishness and shame to him.
14 The (Q)spirit of a person can endure his sickness,
But as for a (R)broken spirit, who can endure it?
15 The [g](S)mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
And the (T)ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A person’s (U)gift makes room for him
And brings him before great people.
17 The first [h]to plead his case seems right,
Until [i]another comes and examines him.
18 The cast (V)lot puts an end to quarrels,
And [j]decides between the mighty ones.
19 A brother who is offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And quarrels are like the bars of a citadel.
20 With the [k](W)fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
(X)He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
21 (Y)Death and life are in the [l]power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its (Z)fruit.
22 He who finds a (AA)wife finds a good thing
And (AB)obtains favor from the Lord.
23 A (AC)poor person utters pleadings,
But a (AD)rich person (AE)answers defiantly.
24 A person of too many friends comes to [m]ruin,
But there is (AF)a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:1 Lit breaks out
- Proverbs 18:2 Lit heart
- Proverbs 18:4 Or A bubbling brook, a fountain of wisdom
- Proverbs 18:6 Lit come with
- Proverbs 18:8 Lit chambers of the belly
- 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
- Proverbs 18:24 Lit be broken in pieces
Proverbios 18
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
18 El que vive aislado busca su propio deseo,
Contra todo consejo se encoleriza(A).
2 El necio no se deleita en la prudencia,
Sino solo en revelar su corazón(B).
3 Cuando llega el impío, llega también el desprecio,
Y con la deshonra viene la afrenta.
4 Aguas profundas son las palabras de la boca del hombre(C);
Arroyo que fluye, la fuente de la sabiduría.
5 No es bueno mostrar preferencia(D) por el impío,
Para ignorar al[a] justo en el juicio(E).
6 Los labios del necio provocan[b] riña,
Y su boca llama a los golpes(F).
7 La boca del necio es su ruina(G),
Y sus labios una trampa para su alma.
8 Las palabras del chismoso son como bocados deliciosos,
Y penetran hasta el fondo de las entrañas[c].
9 También el que es negligente en su trabajo(H)
Es hermano del que destruye(I).
10 El nombre del Señor(J) es torre fuerte(K),
A ella corre el justo y está a salvo[d](L).
11 La fortuna del rico es su ciudad fortificada(M),
Y como muralla alta en su imaginación.
12 Antes de la destrucción el corazón del hombre es altivo(N),
Pero a la gloria precede la humildad(O).
13 El que responde antes de escuchar,
Cosecha[e] necedad y vergüenza(P).
14 El espíritu del hombre puede soportar su enfermedad(Q),
Pero el espíritu quebrantado, ¿quién lo puede sobrellevar(R)?
15 El corazón del prudente adquiere conocimiento(S),
Y el oído del sabio busca el conocimiento(T).
16 La dádiva del hombre le abre camino(U)
Y lo lleva ante la presencia de los grandes.
17 Justo parece el primero que defiende su causa[f]
Hasta que otro[g] viene y lo examina[h].
18 La suerte(V) pone fin a los pleitos
Y decide[i] entre los poderosos.
19 El hermano ofendido es más difícil de ganar que una ciudad fortificada,
Y los pleitos son como cerrojos de fortaleza.
20 Con el fruto de su boca el hombre sacia su vientre(W),
Con el producto de sus labios se saciará(X).
21 Muerte y vida están en poder[j] de la lengua(Y),
Y los que la aman comerán su fruto(Z).
22 El que halla esposa halla algo bueno(AA)
Y alcanza el favor del Señor(AB).
23 El pobre habla suplicando(AC),
Pero el rico(AD) responde con dureza(AE).
24 El hombre de muchos amigos se arruina[k],
Pero hay amigo[l] más unido que un hermano(AF).
Footnotes
- Proverbios 18:5 Lit. echar a un lado.
- Proverbios 18:6 Lit. vienen con.
- Proverbios 18:8 Lit. las cavidades del vientre.
- Proverbios 18:10 Lit. es puesto en alto.
- Proverbios 18:13 Lit. le es.
- Proverbios 18:17 Lit. en su defensa.
- Proverbios 18:17 Lit. su prójimo.
- Proverbios 18:17 O interroga.
- Proverbios 18:18 Lit. hace división.
- Proverbios 18:21 Lit. mano.
- Proverbios 18:24 Lit. se hace pedazos.
- Proverbios 18:24 O persona amada.
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