Proverbs 18
18
1One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound wisdom.
2A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.#18:2 Lit to uncover his heart#Pr 12:23; 13:16; Ec 10:3
3When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,
and along with dishonor, derision.
4The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,#Pr 20:5
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.#18:4 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
denying an innocent person justice.#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.#18:8 Lit to the chambers of the belly#Pr 26:22
9The one who is lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal.#18:9 Lit master of destruction#Pr 28:24
10The name of the Lord is a strong tower;#Ps 18:2; 61:3; 91:2; 144:2
the righteous run to it and are protected.#18:10 Lit raised high#Pr 29:25
11The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.#Pr 10:15
12Before his downfall a person’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 person’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 person’s gift opens doors#18:16 Lit gift makes room for him
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#18:19 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.#Pr 1:31; 12:14; 14:14
21Death and life 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 person pleads,#Pr 19:7
but the rich one answers roughly.#Jms 2:6
24One with many friends may be harmed,#18:24 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: CSB
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