Proverbs 18
18
1An unfriendly person cares only about himself.
He makes fun of all wisdom.
2A foolish person does not want to understand anything.
He only enjoys telling others what he thinks.
3Do something evil, and people won’t like you.
Do something shameful, and they will make fun of you.
4Understanding people’s words is as hard as getting water out of a deep well.
But understanding wisdom is as easy as getting water from a flowing stream.
5It is not good to honor the wicked.
Nor is it good to be unfair to the innocent.
6A fool’s words start quarrels.
They make people want to give him a beating.
7A fool’s words will ruin him.
He will be trapped by his own words.
8The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food.
People take them all in.
9A person who doesn’t work hard
is just like a person who destroys things.
10The Lord is like a strong tower.
Those who do what is right can run to him for safety.
11Rich people trust their wealth to protect them.
They think it is like the high walls of a city.
12People who are proud will be ruined.
But those who are not proud will be honored.
13A person who answers without listening
is foolish and disgraceful.
14The will to live can get you through sickness.
But no one can live with a broken spirit.
15The mind of a smart person is ready to get knowledge.
The wise person listens to learn more.
16Taking a gift to an important person
will help get you in to see him.
17The first person to tell his side of a story seems right.
But that may change when somebody comes and asks him questions.
18Throwing lots settles arguments.
It keeps the two sides from fighting.
19A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a walled city.
And arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace.
20What you say affects how you live.
You will be rewarded by how you speak.
21What you say can mean life or death.
Those who love to talk will be rewarded for what they say.
22A man who finds a wife finds something good.
She shows that the Lord is pleased with him.
23Poor people beg for mercy.
Rich people give rude answers.
24Some friends may ruin you.
But a real friend will be more loyal than a brother.
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Copyright © 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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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