Proverbs 18
Revised Standard Version
18 He who is estranged[a] seeks pretexts[b]
to break out against all sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only 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 deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial to a wicked man,
or to deprive a righteous man of justice.
6 A fool’s lips bring strife,
and his mouth invites a flogging.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to himself.
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 He who is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall protecting him.[c]
12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but humility goes before honor.
13 If one gives answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness;
but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him
and brings him before great men.
17 He who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
18 The lot puts an end to disputes
and decides between powerful contenders.
19 A brother helped is like a strong city,[d]
but quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
and obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.
24 There are[e] friends who pretend to be friends,[f]
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:1 Heb separated
- Proverbs 18:1 Gk Vg: Heb desire
- Proverbs 18:11 Or in his imagination
- Proverbs 18:19 Gk Syr Vg Tg: The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
- Proverbs 18:24 Syr Tg: Heb A man of
- Proverbs 18:24 Cn Compare Syr Vg Tg: Heb to be broken
Proverbs 18
American Standard Version
18 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,
And [a]rageth against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding,
But only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,
And with ignominy cometh reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
[b]The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good,
[c]Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips [d]enter into contention,
And his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts.
9 He also that is slack in his work
Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower;
The righteous runneth into it, and [e]is safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty;
And before honor goeth humility.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth,
It is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
But a broken spirit who can [f]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 pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;
But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease,
And parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother [g]offended is harder to be won than a strong city;
And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;
With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
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 favor of Jehovah.
23 The poor useth entreaties;
But the rich answereth roughly.
24 [h]He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction;
But there is a [i]friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:1 Or, quarrelleth with
- Proverbs 18:4 Or, A flowing brook, a wellspring of wisdom
- Proverbs 18:5 Or, So as to turn aside
- Proverbs 18:6 Or, bring contention
- Proverbs 18:10 Hebrew is set on high.
- Proverbs 18:14 Or, raise up
- Proverbs 18:19 Or, injured
- Proverbs 18:24 Hebrew A man of friends.
- Proverbs 18:24 Hebrew lover.
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