Proverbs 18
18
1An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.
3When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
4The words of the mouth are deep waters,
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5It is not good to be partial to the wicked
and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.
7The mouths of fools are their undoing,
and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
9One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.
10The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;
they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honour.
13To answer before listening –
that is folly and shame.
14The human spirit can endure in times of illness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16A gift opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18Casting the lot settles disputes
and keeps strong opponents apart.
19A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favour from the Lord.
23The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly.
24One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Proverbs 18: NIVUK
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® (Anglicised), NIV®
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Proverbs 18
18
It's Wrong To Favor the Guilty
1It's selfish and stupid
to think only of yourself
and to sneer at people
who have sense.#18.1 sense: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 1.
2Fools have no desire to learn,
instead they would rather
give their own opinion.
3Wrongdoing leads to shame
and disgrace.
4Words of wisdom
are a stream that flows
from a deep fountain.
5It's wrong to favor the guilty
and keep the innocent
from getting justice.
6Foolish talk will get you
into a lot of trouble.
7Saying foolish things
is like setting a trap
to destroy yourself.
8There's nothing so delicious
as the taste of gossip!
It melts in your mouth.
9Being lazy is no different
from being a troublemaker.
10The Lord is a mighty tower
where his people can run
for safety—
11the rich think their money
is a wall of protection.
12Pride leads to destruction;
humility leads to honor.
13 #
Si 11.8. It's stupid and embarrassing
to give an answer
before you listen.
14Being cheerful helps
when you are sick,
but nothing helps
when you give up.
15Everyone with good sense
wants to learn.
16A gift will get you in
to see anyone.
17You may think you have won
your case in court,
until your opponent speaks.
18Drawing straws is one way
to settle a difficult case.
19Making up with a friend
you have offended#18.19 Making … offended: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
is harder than breaking
through a city wall.
20Make your words good—
you will be glad you did.
21Words can bring death or life!
Talk too much, and you will eat
everything you say.
22 #
Si 26.1-4. A man's greatest treasure
is his wife—
she is a gift from the Lord.
23The poor must beg for help,
but the rich can give
a harsh reply.
24Some friends don't help,#18.24 Some … help: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
but a true friend is closer
than your own family.
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.