Proverbs 18
Legacy Standard Bible
18 He who separates himself seeks his own desire,
He (A)breaks out in dispute against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool does not delight in discernment,
But only (B)in revealing his own heart.
3 When a wicked man comes, despising also comes,
And with disgrace comes reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are (C)deep waters;
[a]The fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 To (D)show partiality to the wicked is not good,
Nor to (E)thrust aside the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips come with strife,
And his mouth calls for (F)beatings.
7 A (G)fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the [b]innermost parts of the stomach.
9 He also who is (H)slack in his work
(I)Is brother to him who destroys.
10 The (J)name of Yahweh is a (K)strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is (L)set securely on high.
11 A (M)rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own delusion.
12 (N)Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
But (O)humility goes before glory.
13 He who (P)responds with a word before he hears,
It is folly and shame to him.
14 The (Q)spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
But as for a (R)broken spirit, who can bear it?
15 The (S)heart of the understanding acquires knowledge,
And the (T)ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s (U)gift makes room for him
And leads him into the presence of great men.
17 The first [c]to plead his case seems right,
Until [d]another comes and examines him.
18 The cast (V)lot puts an end to contentions
And [e]decides between the mighty ones.
19 A brother offended is harder to win over than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
20 From the [f](W)fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
(X)With the produce of his lips he will be satisfied.
21 (Y)Death and life are in the [g]power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its (Z)fruit.
22 He who finds a (AA)wife finds a good thing
And (AB)obtains favor from Yahweh.
23 The (AC)poor man speaks supplications,
But the (AD)rich man (AE)answers with strong words.
24 A man of too many friends comes to [h]ruin,
But there is (AF)a [i]friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:4 Or A bubbling brook, a fountain of wisdom
- Proverbs 18:8 Lit chambers of the belly
- Proverbs 18:17 Lit in his plea
- Proverbs 18:17 Lit his neighbor
- Proverbs 18:18 Lit makes a division
- Proverbs 18:20 Speech
- Proverbs 18:21 Lit hand
- Proverbs 18:24 Lit be broken in pieces
- Proverbs 18:24 Or lover
Proverbs 18
Revised Geneva Translation
18 He who separates himself seeks his own desires, quarreling with all wisdom.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own heart.
3 When the wicked comes, then comes contempt. And with the vile comes reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. And the wellspring of wisdom is like a flowing river.
5 It is not good to 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 calls 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 to the core.
9 He, also, who is slothful in his work is the brother of him who is corrupt.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are exalted.
11 The rich man’s riches are his strong city; and are as a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction, the heart of a man is haughty. And before glory goes lowliness.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness. But who can bear a wounded spirit?
15 A wise heart gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks learning.
16 A man’s gift enlarges him, and leads him before great men.
17 The first to plead his own cause seems just. Then comes his neighbor and examines him.
18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease; and makes a partition among the mighty.
19 A offended brother is harder to win than a strong city. And their contentions are like the bars of a palace.
20 With the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied; with the produce of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue. And those who love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 He who finds a wife, finds a good thing; and receives favor from the LORD.
23 The poor speak with supplication. But the rich answer roughly.
24 A man who has friends ought to show himself friendly. For a friend is nearer than a brother.
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