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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Proverbs 18: HCSB
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© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 18
18
1An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.
3When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
4The words of the mouth are deep waters,
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5It is not good to be partial to the wicked
and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.
7The mouths of fools are their undoing,
and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
9One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.
10The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;
they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honour.
13To answer before listening –
that is folly and shame.
14The human spirit can endure in times of illness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16A gift opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18Casting the lot settles disputes
and keeps strong opponents apart.
19A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favour from the Lord.
23The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly.
24One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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