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
Holman Christian Standard Bible
18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,
and along with dishonor, disgrace.
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)
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.(K)
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)
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)
24 A man with many friends may be harmed,[h]
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.(Z)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart
- Proverbs 18:4 Or waters; a fountain of wisdom is a flowing river.
- Proverbs 18:8 Lit to the chambers of the belly
- Proverbs 18:9 Lit master of destruction
- Proverbs 18:10 Lit raised high
- Proverbs 18:16 Lit gift makes room
- Proverbs 18:19 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger
- Proverbs 18:24 Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly
Proverbs 18
King James Version
18 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 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.
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