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,# 18:2 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, # 18:4 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, # 18:5 Lv 19:15; Dt 1:17; 24:17; Ps 15:5; 82:2; Pr 24:23–24; 28:21
denying an innocent person justice. # 18:5 Pr 17:15
6A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating. # 18:6 Pr 19:29
7A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life. # 18:7 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,# 18:8 Pr 26:22
9The one who is lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal. # 18:9 Lit master of destruction,# 18:9 Pr 28:24
10The name of the Lord is a strong tower; # 18:10 Ps 18:2; 61:3; 91:2; 144:2
the righteous run to it and are protected. # 18:10 Lit raised high,# 18:10 Pr 29:25
11The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall. # 18:11 Pr 10:15
12Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud, # 18:12 Pr 16:18
but humility comes before honor. # 18:12 Pr 11:2; 15:33; 29:23
13The one who gives an answer before he listens —
this is foolishness and disgrace for him. # 18:13 Pr 15:28
14A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit? # 18:14 Pr 15:13; 17:22
15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it. # 18:15 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. # 18:16 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. # 18:17 1Kg 3:16–28
18Casting the lot # 18:18 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. # 18:20 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. # 18:21 Pr 13:2; Mt 12:37; 15:11,18–20; Jms 3:8
22A man who finds a wife finds a good thing # 18:22 Pr 12:4; 19:14; 31:10–31
and obtains favor from the Lord. # 18:22 Pr 8:35
23The poor person pleads, # 18:23 Pr 19:7
but the rich one answers roughly. # 18:23 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. # 18:24 Pr 17:17; 27:10; Jn 15:13
© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers