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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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 18
18
1People who do not get along with others are interested only in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right.
2A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is to show how clever he is.
3Sin and shame go together. Lose your honour, and you will get scorn in its place.
4A person's words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream.
5It is not right to favour the guilty and prevent the innocent from receiving justice.
6When some fool starts an argument, he is asking for a beating.
7When a fool speaks, he is ruining himself; he gets caught in the trap of his own words.
8Gossip is so tasty — how we love to swallow it!
9A lazy person is as bad as someone who is destructive.
10The LORD is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe. 11Rich people, however, imagine that their wealth protects them like high, strong walls round a city.
12No one is respected unless he is humble; arrogant people are on the way to ruin.
13Listen before you answer. If you don't you are being stupid and insulting.
14Your will to live can sustain you when you are sick, but if you lose it, your last hope is gone.
15Intelligent people are always eager and ready to learn.
16Do you want to meet an important person? Take a gift and it will be easy.
17The first to speak in court always seems right until his opponent begins to question him.
18If two powerful men are opposing each other in court, casting lots can settle the issue.
19Help your relatives and they will protect you like a strong city wall,#18.19 Some ancient translations Help… wall; Hebrew unclear. but if you quarrel with them, they will close their doors to you.
20You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. 21What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.
22Find a wife and you find a good thing; it shows that the LORD is good to you.
23When the poor speak, they have to beg politely, but when the rich answer, they are rude.
24Some friendships do#18.24 Some ancient translations Some friendships do; Hebrew Someone with friends does. not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.