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Proverbs 18
1599 Geneva Bible
Proverbs 18
1599 Geneva Bible
18 1 For the desire thereof he will [a]separate himself to seek it, and occupy himself in all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding: but that his heart may be [b]discovered.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh [c]contempt, and with the vile man reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep [d]waters, and the wellspring of wisdom is like a flowing river.
5 It is not good to [e]accept the person of the wicked, to cause the righteous to fall in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his own destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as flatterings, and they go down into the [f]bowels of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work, is even the brother of him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth [g]unto it, and is exalted.
11 (A)The rich man’s riches are his strong city: and as an high wall in his imagination.
12 (B)Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before glory goeth lowliness.
13 He that answereth a matter before he hear it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity: but [h]a wounded spirit, who can bear it?
15 A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh learning.
16 A man’s gift [i]enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.
17 [j]He that is first in his own cause, is just: then cometh his neighbor and maketh inquiry of him.
18 The lot [k]causeth contentions to cease, and [l]maketh a partition among the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and their contentions are like the [m]bar of a palace.
20 With the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied, 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 [n]love it, shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 He that findeth a [o]wife, findeth a good thing, and receiveth favor of the Lord.
23 The poor speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man that hath friends, ought to show himself friendly: for a friend is nearer [p]than a brother.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:1 He that loveth wisdom, will separate himself from all impediments, and give himself wholly to seek it.
- Proverbs 18:2 That is, that he may talk licentiously of whatsoever cometh to mind.
- Proverbs 18:3 Meaning, such one as contemneth all others.
- Proverbs 18:4 Which can never be drawn empty, but bring ever profit.
- Proverbs 18:5 That is, to favor him and support him.
- Proverbs 18:8 They are soon believed, and enter most deeply.
- Proverbs 18:10 He showeth what is the refuge of the godly against all trouble.
- Proverbs 18:14 The mind can well bear the infirmity of the body, but when the spirit is wounded, it is a thing most hard to sustain.
- Proverbs 18:16 Getteth him liberty to speak, and favor of them that are most in estimation.
- Proverbs 18:17 He that speaketh first, is best heard of the wicked judge, but when his adversary inquireth out the matter, it turneth to his shame.
- Proverbs 18:18 If a controversy cannot otherwise be decided, it is best to cast lots to know whose the thing shall be.
- Proverbs 18:18 Appeaseth their controversy, which are so stout that cannot otherwise be pacified.
- Proverbs 18:19 Which for the strength thereof will not bow nor yield.
- Proverbs 18:21 By the using of the tongue well or evil, cometh the fruit thereof either good or bad.
- Proverbs 18:22 He that is joined with a virtuous woman in marriage, is blessed of the Lord, as Prov. 19:14.
- Proverbs 18:24 That is, ofttimes such are found which are more ready to do pleasure, than he that is more bound by duty.
Proverbs 18
Wycliffe Bible
Proverbs 18
Wycliffe Bible
18 He that will go away from a friend, seeketh occasions, that is, feigneth causes, (or looketh for reasons); in all time he shall be despisable.
2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence; no but thou say those things, that be turned (over) in his heart.
3 A wicked man, when he cometh into (the) depth of sins, despiseth wholesome lore, (or discipline,) and commandment; but scandal and shame followeth him.
4 Deep water is the words of the mouth of a man; and a strand floating over is the well of wisdom. (Words from a person’s mouth can be like deep water/can be as deep as the water; and the well of wisdom is like a stream flowing over.)
5 It is not good to take the person of a wicked man in doom, that thou bow away from the truth of doom. (It is not good to favour a wicked person, so that thou turn away from the truth in judgement.)
6 The lips of a fool meddle themselves with chidings; and his mouth stirreth strives. (A fool’s lips mix, or mingle, themselves in with arguments; and his mouth stirreth up strife.)
7 The mouth of a fool is [the] defouling of him; and his lips be the falling of his soul.
8 The words of a double-tongued man be as simple; and they come unto the inner things of the womb. Dread casteth down a slow man; forsooth the souls of men turned into women’s condition shall have hunger. (A gossip’s words be tasty; and they go down into the innermost parts. Fear casteth down the lazy; and those who be timid shall have hunger.)
9 He that is nesh, and dissolute, either unsteadfast, in his work, is the brother of a man destroying his works.
10 A full strong tower is the name of the Lord; a just man runneth to him, and [he] shall be enhanced. (The Lord’s name is a full strong tower; the righteous run to it, and they shall be safe.)
11 The chattel of a rich man is the city of his strength; and as a strong wall compassing him. (A rich person’s possessions is the city of his strength; and they be like a strong wall surrounding him, or so he thinketh.)
12 The heart of man is enhanced, before that it be broken; and it is made meek, before that it be glorified. (A person’s heart is raised up in pride, before that it is broken; and it is humbled, before that it is glorified.)
13 He that answereth before that he heareth, showeth himself to be a fool; and worthy of shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth (him in) his feebleness; but who may sustain a spirit light to be wroth? (A person’s spirit can sustain him in sickness; but who can endure with a broken spirit?)
15 The heart of a prudent man shall hold steadfastly knowing; and the ear of wise men seeketh teaching. (The heart of a person with understanding shall steadfastly hold onto knowledge; and the ears of the wise seek out teaching, or instruction.)
16 The gift of a man alargeth his way; and maketh space to him before princes. (Giving a gift openeth, or smootheth, one’s way; and maketh an opening for thee among the leaders, or among the powerful.)
17 A just man is the first accuser of himself; his friend cometh, and shall search him. (He who is the first to speak for a cause seemeth right; but then his opponent shall come, and shall search him out.)
18 Lot ceaseth against-sayings; and deemeth also among mighty men. (Casting lots ceaseth arguments; and also judgeth, or decideth, among the mighty.)
19 A brother that is helped of a brother, is as a steadfast city; and [the] dooms be as the bars of cities. (A brother helped by a brother, is like protection from the wall of a steadfast city; but arguments be like the bars of a city, preventing entry.)
20 A man’s womb shall be [ful]filled of the fruit of his mouth (A man’s belly shall be fulfilled, or satisfied, by the fruit of his mouth); and the seeds of his lips shall fill him.
21 Death and life be in the works of [the] tongue; they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof (they who nurture it, shall eat its fruits).
22 He that findeth a good woman, findeth a good thing; and of the Lord he shall draw up mirth (and he receiveth favour from the Lord). He that putteth away a good woman, putteth away a good thing; but he that holdeth (onto an) adulteress, is a fool and unwise.
23 A poor man shall speak with beseechings, (or with pleadings); and a rich man shall speak sternly.
24 A man friendly to fellowship shall more be a friend, than a brother. (A man given to fellowship with thee, can be more of a friend, than even thy own brother.)
Proverbs 18
New International Version
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)
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) 
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
2001 by Terence P. Noble
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.