Proverbs 18
GOD’S WORD Translation
18 A loner is out to get what he wants for himself.
He opposes all sound reasoning.
2 A fool does not find joy in understanding
but only in expressing his own opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes,
and insult comes along with disgrace.
4 The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters.
The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person,
thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.
6 By talking, a fool gets into an argument,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin.
His lips are a trap to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily,
and they go down into a person’s innermost being.
How to Avoid Fools and Foolishness
9 Whoever is lazy in his work is related to a vandal.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower.
A righteous person runs to it and is safe.
11 A rich person’s wealth is his strong city
and is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction a person’s heart is arrogant,
but humility comes before honor.
13 Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful.
14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can bear a broken spirit?
15 The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge.
The ears of wise people seek knowledge.
16 A gift opens doors for the one who gives it
and brings him into the presence of great people.
17 The first to state his case seems right
⌞until⌟ his neighbor comes to cross-examine him.
18 Flipping a coin ends quarrels
and settles ⌞issues⌟ between powerful people.
19 An offended brother is more ⌞resistant⌟ than a strong city,
and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower.
20 A person’s speaking ability provides for his stomach.
His talking provides him a living.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds something good
and has obtained favor from the Lord.
23 A poor person is timid when begging,
but a rich person is blunt when replying.
24 Friends can destroy one another,[a]
but a loving friend can stick closer than family.
Footnotes
- 18:24 Or “A person has friends as companions.”
Proverbs 18
English Standard Version
18 Whoever (A)isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only (B)in expressing his opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man's mouth are (C)deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to (D)be partial to[a] the wicked
or to (E)deprive the righteous of justice.
6 A fool's lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites (F)a beating.
7 (G)A fool's mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 (H)The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into (I)the inner parts of the body.
9 Whoever is slack in his work
is a (J)brother to him who destroys.
10 (K)The name of the Lord is (L)a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and (M)is safe.
11 (N)A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 (O)Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
but (P)humility comes before honor.
13 If one gives an answer (Q)before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
14 A man's spirit will endure sickness,
but (R)a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's (S)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 (T)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 (U)From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 (V)Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds (W)a wife finds (X)a good thing
and (Y)obtains favor (Z)from the Lord.
23 The poor use entreaties,
but (AA)the rich answer roughly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but (AB)there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:5 Hebrew to lift the face of
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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
