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Proverbs 18
Names of God Bible

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 Yahweh is Migdal-Oz.
    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 Yahweh.
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

  1. Proverbs 18:24 Or “A person has friends as companions.”
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Proverbs 18
Christian Standard Bible

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

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

3 When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,
and along with dishonor, derision.

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

5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty,(C)
denying an innocent person justice.(D)

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

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

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

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

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

11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.(K)

12 Before his downfall a person’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 person’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 person’s gift opens doors[f] for him
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 a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.(T)

21 Death and life 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 person pleads,(X)
but the rich one answers roughly.(Y)

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

Footnotes

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

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked(C)
    and so deprive the innocent of justice.(D)

6 The lips of fools bring them strife,
    and their mouths invite a beating.(E)

7 The mouths of fools are their undoing,
    and their lips are a snare(F) to their very lives.(G)

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)

10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;(J)
    the righteous run to it and are safe.(K)

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)

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,(U)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.(V)

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good(W)
    and receives favor from the Lord.(X)

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)

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Proverbs 17
Proverbs 19
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Names of God Bible (NOG)

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