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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Proverbs 18: NLT
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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
1A loner is out to get what he wants for himself.
He opposes all sound reasoning.
2A fool does not find joy in understanding
but only in expressing his own opinion.
3When wickedness comes, contempt also comes,
and insult comes along with disgrace.
4The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters.
The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
5It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person,
thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.
6By talking, a fool gets into an argument,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7A fool’s mouth is his ruin.
His lips are a trap to his soul.
8The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily,
and they go down into a person’s innermost being.
How to Avoid Fools and Foolishness
9Whoever is lazy in his work is related to a vandal.
10The name of the Lord is a strong tower.
A righteous person runs to it and is safe.
11A rich person’s wealth is his strong city
and is like a high wall in his imagination.
12Before destruction a person’s heart is arrogant,
but humility comes before honor.
13Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful.
14A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can bear a broken spirit?
15The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge.
The ears of wise people seek knowledge.
16A gift opens doors for the one who gives it
and brings him into the presence of great people.
17The first to state his case seems right
⌞until⌟ his neighbor comes to cross-examine him.
18Flipping a coin ends quarrels
and settles ⌞issues⌟ between powerful people.
19An offended brother is more ⌞resistant⌟ than a strong city,
and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower.
20A person’s speaking ability provides for his stomach.
His talking provides him a living.
21The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.
22Whoever finds a wife finds something good
and has obtained favor from the Lord.
23A poor person is timid when begging,
but a rich person is blunt when replying.
24Friends can destroy one another,#18:24 Or “A person has friends as companions.”
but a loving friend can stick closer than family.
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