Proverbs 18
18
1Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
3With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
4People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
5It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
6What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
8Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9Laziness and destruction are brothers.
10The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
11Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
14With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
15An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
17The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
18Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
19A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town.#18:19. The meaning of the Hebrew is unclear. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
20Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.#18:20. Many different interpretations have been given for the meaning of this verse.
21What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
23The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
24Some friends give up#18:24. “Give up”: literally, “come to ruin.” on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com
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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