Proverbs 18
18
1Unfriendly people care only about themselves;
they lash out at common sense.
2Fools have no interest in understanding;
they only want to air their own opinions.
3Doing wrong leads to disgrace,
and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4Wise words are like deep waters;
wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5It is not right to acquit the guilty
or deny justice to the innocent.
6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
they are asking for a beating.
7The mouths of fools are their ruin;
they trap themselves with their lips.
8Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.
9A lazy person is as bad as
someone who destroys things.
10The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.
11The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense;
they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12Haughtiness goes before destruction;
humility precedes honor.
13Spouting off before listening to the facts
is both shameful and foolish.
14The human spirit can endure a sick body,
but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
Their ears are open for knowledge.
16Giving a gift can open doors;
it gives access to important people!
17The first to speak in court sounds right—
until the cross-examination begins.
18Flipping a coin#18:18 Hebrew Casting lots. can end arguments;
it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
19An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
20Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.
21The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
22The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
and he receives favor from the Lord.
23The poor plead for mercy;
the rich answer with insults.
24There are “friends” who destroy each other,
but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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Proverbs 18
18
1One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.
2A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions. # Lit to uncover his heart # Pr 12:23; 13:16; Ec 10:3
3When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,
and along with dishonor, disgrace.
4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, # Pr 20:5
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. # Or waters; a fountain of wisdom is a flowing river.
5It is not good to show partiality to the guilty # Lv 19:15; Dt 1:17; 24:17; Ps 15:5; 82:2; Pr 24:23-24; 28:21
by perverting the justice due the innocent. # Pr 17:15
6A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating. # Pr 19:29
7A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life. # Ps 64:8; 140:9; Pr 10:14; 12:13; 13:3; Ec 10:12
8A gossip’s words are like choice food
that goes down to one’s innermost being. # Lit to the chambers of the belly # Pr 26:22
9The one who is truly lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal. # Lit master of destruction # Pr 28:24
10The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; # Ps 18:2; 61:3; 91:2; 144:2
the righteous run to it and are protected. # Lit raised high # Pr 29:25
11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall. # Pr 10:15
12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, # Pr 16:18
but humility comes before honor. # Pr 11:2; 15:33; 29:23
13The one who gives an answer before he listens —
this is foolishness and disgrace for him. # Pr 15:28
14A man’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit? # Pr 15:13; 17:22
15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it. # Pr 14:33; 15:14
16A gift opens doors # Lit gift makes room for a man
and brings him before the great. # Gn 32:20; 1Sm 25:27; Pr 17:8; 19:6; 21:14
17The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him. # 1Kg 3:16-28
18Casting the lot # Pr 16:33 ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.
19An offended brother is harder to reach # LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips. # Pr 1:31; 12:14; 14:14
21Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit. # Pr 13:2; Mt 12:37; 15:11,18-20; Jms 3:8
22A man who finds a wife finds a good thing # Pr 12:4; 19:14; 31:10-31
and obtains favor from the Lord. # Pr 8:35
23The poor man pleads, # Pr 19:7
but the rich one answers roughly. # Jms 2:6
24A man with many friends may be harmed, # Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. # Pr 17:17; 27:10; Jn 15:13
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