Proverbs 18
Christian Standard Bible
18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound wisdom.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,
and along with dishonor, derision.
6 A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.(E)
7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.(F)
11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.(K)
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.(N)
14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?(O)
15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.(P)
17 The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.(R)
18 Casting the lot(S) ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.
19 An offended brother is harder to reach[g]
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.(T)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.(U)
Footnotes
- 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart
- 18:4 Or waters; a fountain of wisdom is a flowing river
- 18:8 Lit to the chambers of the belly
- 18:9 Lit master of destruction
- 18:10 Lit raised high
- 18:16 Lit gift makes room
- 18:19 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger
- 18:24 Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly
Proverbs 18
Common English Bible
18 Unfriendly people look out for themselves;
they bicker with sensible people.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing their opinion.
3 When the wicked arrive, so does contempt;
with shame comes insult.
4 The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,
a bubbling stream, a fountain of wisdom.
5 Favoring the wicked isn’t good;
it denies justice to the righteous.
6 The lips of fools make accusations;
their mouths elicit beatings.
7 The mouth of fools is their ruin;
their lips are a trap for their lives.
8 The words of gossips are like choice snacks;
they go down to the inmost parts.
9 Those who are lazy in their work
are brothers to thugs.
10 The Lord’s name is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and find refuge.
11 The riches of the wealthy are a strong city
and like a high wall in their imagination.
12 Pride comes before a disaster,
but humility comes before respect.
13 Those who answer before they listen
are foolish and disgraceful.
14 The human spirit sustains a sick person,
but who can bear a broken spirit?
15 An understanding mind gains knowledge;
the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A gift opens the way
for access to important people.
17 The first person to testify seems innocent,
until the other comes and cross-examines him.
18 The dice settle conflicts
and keep strong opponents apart.
19 An offended ally is more formidable than a city;
such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 The stomach is satisfied
by the fruit of the mouth;
one’s lips can earn a satisfying income.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good,
gaining favor from the Lord.
23 The poor plead for help,
but the wealthy answer harshly.
24 There are persons for companionship,
but then there are friends who are more loyal than family.
Proverbs 18
New International Version
18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.(A)
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,(B)
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.(E)
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.(H)
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.(I)
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;(L)
they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.(M)
13 To answer before listening—
that is folly and shame.(N)
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?(O)
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(P)
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A gift(Q) 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(R)
and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother wronged(S) 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.(T)
23 The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly.
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(Y)
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