15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

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15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.(A)

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15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;
And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

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15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

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15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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18 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can 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 is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

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 favour of the Lord.

23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.

A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.[a](A)

When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,
and along with dishonor, disgrace.

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters,(B)
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.[b]

It is not good to show partiality to the guilty(C)
by perverting the justice due the innocent.(D)

A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.(E)

A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.(F)

A gossip’s words are like choice food
that goes down to one’s innermost being.[c](G)

The one who is truly lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal.[d](H)

10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower;(I)
the righteous run to it and are protected.[e](J)

11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.(K)

12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,(L)
but humility comes before honor.(M)

13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.(N)

14 A man’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)

16 A gift opens doors[f] for a man
and brings him before the great.(Q)

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 his mouth a man’s stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.(T)

21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.(U)

22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing(V)
and obtains favor from the Lord.(W)

23 The poor man pleads,(X)
but the rich one answers roughly.(Y)

24 A man with many friends may be harmed,[h]
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.(Z)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart
  2. Proverbs 18:4 Or waters; a fountain of wisdom is a flowing river.
  3. Proverbs 18:8 Lit to the chambers of the belly
  4. Proverbs 18:9 Lit master of destruction
  5. Proverbs 18:10 Lit raised high
  6. Proverbs 18:16 Lit gift makes room
  7. Proverbs 18:19 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger
  8. Proverbs 18:24 Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly

18 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,
And [a]rageth against all sound wisdom.
A fool hath no delight in understanding,
But only that his heart may reveal itself.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,
And with ignominy cometh reproach.
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
[b]The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
To respect the person of the wicked is not good,
[c]Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
A fool’s lips [d]enter into contention,
And his mouth calleth for stripes.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts.
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

  1. Proverbs 18:1 Or, quarrelleth with
  2. Proverbs 18:4 Or, A flowing brook, a wellspring of wisdom
  3. Proverbs 18:5 Or, So as to turn aside
  4. Proverbs 18:6 Or, bring contention
  5. Proverbs 18:10 Hebrew is set on high.
  6. Proverbs 18:14 Or, raise up
  7. Proverbs 18:19 Or, injured
  8. Proverbs 18:24 Hebrew A man of friends.
  9. Proverbs 18:24 Hebrew lover.

18 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.

A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.

With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach.

Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.

Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.

The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.

He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.

10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.

11 The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.

13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.

14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?

15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.

17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.

19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.

20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.

21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.

22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.

24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!

18 He who is estranged[a] seeks pretexts[b]
    to break out against all sound judgment.
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only in expressing his opinion.
When wickedness comes, contempt comes also;
    and with dishonor comes disgrace.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
    the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
It is not good to be partial to a wicked man,
    or to deprive a righteous man of justice.
A fool’s lips bring strife,
    and his mouth invites a flogging.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
    and his lips are a snare to himself.
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.
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

  1. Proverbs 18:1 Heb separated
  2. Proverbs 18:1 Gk Vg: Heb desire
  3. Proverbs 18:11 Or in his imagination
  4. Proverbs 18:19 Gk Syr Vg Tg: The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  5. Proverbs 18:24 Syr Tg: Heb A man of
  6. Proverbs 18:24 Cn Compare Syr Vg Tg: Heb to be broken