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
Proverbs 18
New King James Version
The Name of the Lord Is a Strong Tower
18 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all [a]wise judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his (A)own heart.
3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in (D)judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 (E)A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his (F)soul.
8 (G)The words of a [b]talebearer are like [c]tasty trifles,
And they go down into the [d]inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong (H)tower;
The righteous run to it and are [e]safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12 (I)Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 (J)A 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 (K)lots 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 (L)A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 (M)Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 (N)He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers (O)roughly.
24 A man who has friends [f]must himself be friendly,
(P)But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:1 sound wisdom
- Proverbs 18:8 gossip or slanderer
- Proverbs 18:8 A Jewish tradition wounds
- Proverbs 18:8 Lit. rooms of the belly
- Proverbs 18:10 secure, lit. set on high
- Proverbs 18:24 So with Gr. mss., Syr., Tg., Vg.; MT may come to ruin
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
