Proverbs 18
18
1 HE WHO willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment.
2 A [self-confident] fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.
3 When the wicked comes in [to the depth of evil], he becomes a contemptuous despiser [of all that is pure and good], and with inner baseness comes outer shame and reproach.
4 The words of a [discreet and wise] man's mouth are like deep waters [plenteous and difficult to fathom], and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].
5 To respect the person of the wicked and be partial to him, so as to deprive the [consistently] righteous of justice, is not good.
6 A [self-confident] fool's lips bring contention, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A [self-confident] fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself.
8 The words of a whisperer or talebearer are as dainty morsels; they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
9 He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high protecting wall in his own imagination and conceit.
12 Haughtiness comes before disaster, but humility before honor.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears the facts–it is folly and shame to him. [John 7:51.]
14 The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear?
15 The mind of the prudent is ever getting knowledge, and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) knowledge.
16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men. [Gen. 32:20; I Sam. 25:27; Prov. 17:8; 21:14.]
17 He who states his case first seems right, until his rival comes and cross-examines him.
18 To cast lots puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won over than a strong city, and [their] contentions separate them like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. [Matt. 12:37.]
22 He who finds a [true] wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. [Prov. 19:14; 31:10.]
23 The poor man uses entreaties, but the rich answers roughly.
24 The man of many friends [a friend of all the world] will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Proverbs 18: AMPC
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1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Proverbs 18
18
1Whoever #[Jude 19]isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only #ch. 13:16; [Eccles. 10:3]in expressing his opinion.
3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4The words of a man’s mouth are #ch. 20:5deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5It is not good to #ch. 24:23; 28:21; Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:17; Ps. 82:2 be partial to#18:5 Hebrew to lift the face of the wicked
or to #See ch. 17:15deprive the righteous of justice.
6A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites #See ch. 19:29a beating.
7 # ch. 10:14; 12:13; 13:3; Ps. 64:8; 140:9; Eccles. 10:12 A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 # ch. 26:22; [ch. 16:28] The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into #ch. 20:27the inner parts of the body.
9Whoever is slack in his work
is a #[ch. 28:24]brother to him who destroys.
10 # See Ex. 34:5-7 The name of the Lord is #Ps. 61:3; [Ps. 18:2]; See 2 Sam. 22:3 a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and #[Ps. 20:1]is safe.
11 # See ch. 10:15 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 # See ch. 11:2 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but #ch. 15:33humility comes before honor.
13If one gives an answer #[John 7:51]before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
14A man’s spirit will endure sickness,
but #ch. 15:13a crushed spirit who can bear?
15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16A man’s #[Gen. 32:20; 1 Sam. 25:27]; See ch. 17:8gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.
17The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
18 # [ch. 16:33] The lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.
19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 # See ch. 12:14 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 #
Matt. 12:36, 37; [ch. 4:23; 12:13] Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22He who finds #ch. 12:4; 19:14; See ch. 31:10-31 a wife finds #[Gen. 2:18] a good thing
and #ch. 8:35 obtains favor #ch. 19:14from the Lord.
23The poor use entreaties,
but #[James 2:3, 6]the rich answer roughly.
24A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but #See ch. 17:17there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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