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
18
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
1He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.
2A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].
3When the wicked man comes [to the depth of evil], contempt [of all that is pure and good] also comes,
And with inner baseness (dishonor) comes outer shame (scorn).
4The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];
The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].
5To show respect to the wicked person is not good,
Nor to push aside and deprive the righteous of justice.
6A fool’s lips bring contention and strife,
And his mouth invites a beating.
7A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];
They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].
9He who is careless in his work
Is a brother to him who destroys.
10The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall [of protection] in his own imagination and conceit.
12Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance,
But humility comes before honor.
13He who answers before he hears [the facts]—
It is folly and shame to him. [John 7:51]
14The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness,
But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it?
15The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise [always] seeks knowledge.
16A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him
And brings him before great men. [Gen 32:20; 1 Sam 25:27; Prov 17:8; 21:14]
17The first one to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 # 18:18 See note 16:33. To cast lots puts an end to quarrels
And decides between powerful contenders.
19A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city,
And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.
20A man’s stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;
He will be satisfied with the consequence of his words.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. [Matt 12:37]
22He who finds a [#18:22 In Jewish tradition it is said that in Israel, they used to ask a man who had married, “Matsa or motse?” “Matsa” is the Hebrew for “finds” here, where a good wife is in view, and “motse” is the word for “found” (NASB “discovered”) in Eccl 7:26.true and faithful] wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor and approval from the Lord. [Prov 19:14; 31:10]
23The poor man pleads,
But the rich man answers roughly.
24The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin,
But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.
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