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
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 18: HCSB
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 18
18
Words Kill, Words Give Life
1Loners who care only for themselves
spit on the common good.
2Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse;
all they do is run off at the mouth.
3When wickedness arrives, shame’s not far behind;
contempt for life is contemptible.
4Many words rush along like rivers in flood,
but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.
5It’s not right to go easy on the guilty,
or come down hard on the innocent.
6The words of a fool start fights;
do him a favor and gag him.
7Fools are undone by their big mouths;
their souls are crushed by their words.
8Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy;
do you really want junk like that in your belly?
9Slack habits and sloppy work
are as bad as vandalism.
10 God’s name is a place of protection—
good people can run there and be safe.
11The rich think their wealth protects them;
they imagine themselves safe behind it.
12Pride first, then the crash,
but humility is precursor to honor.
13Answering before listening
is both stupid and rude.
14A healthy spirit conquers adversity,
but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?
15Wise men and women are always learning,
always listening for fresh insights.
16A gift gets attention;
it buys the attention of eminent people.
17The first speech in a court case is always convincing—
until the cross-examination starts!
18You may have to draw straws
when faced with a tough decision.
19Do a favor and win a friend forever;
nothing can untie that bond.
20Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach;
good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.
21Words kill, words give life;
they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.
22Find a good spouse, you find a good life—
and even more: the favor of God!
23The poor speak in soft supplications;
the rich bark out answers.
24Friends come and friends go,
but a true friend sticks by you like family.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.