Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18

¹The one who lives alone is self-indulgent,

showing contempt for all sound judgment.

²A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,[#Prov 12.23]

but only in expressing personal opinion.

³When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

⁴The words of the mouth are deep waters;[#Prov 10.11; 20.5]

the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.

⁵It is not right to be partial to the guilty[#Lev 19.15; Deut 1.17; Prov 24.23]

or to subvert the innocent in judgment.

⁶A fool’s lips bring strife,

and a fool’s mouth invites a flogging.

⁷The mouths of fools are their ruin,[#Prov 10.14; Eccl 10.12]

and their lips a snare to themselves.

⁸The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;[#Prov 26.22]

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

⁹One who is slack in work[#Prov 28.24]

is close kin to a vandal.

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower;[#2 Sam 22.3; Ps 18.2]

the righteous run into it and are safe.

¹¹The wealth of the rich is their strong city;[#Prov 10.15]

in their imagination it is like a high wall.

¹²Before destruction one’s heart is haughty,[#Prov 11.2]

but humility goes before honor.

¹³If one gives answer before hearing,[#Jn 7.51]

it is folly and shame.

¹⁴The human spirit will endure sickness,

but a broken spirit—who can bear?

¹⁵An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

¹⁶A gift opens doors;[#Gen 32.20; 1 Sam 25.27]

it gives access to the great.

¹⁷The one who first states a case seems right,

until the other comes and cross-examines.

¹⁸Casting the lot puts an end to disputes[#Prov 16.33]

and decides between powerful contenders.

¹⁹An ally offended is stronger than a city;[#18.19 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain]

such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

²⁰From the fruit of the mouth one’s stomach is satisfied;[#Prov 12.14]

the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue,[#Mt 12.37]

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

²²He who finds a wife finds a good thing[#Prov 19.14]

and obtains favor from the Lord .

²³The poor use entreaties,[#Jas 2.3]

but the rich answer roughly.

²⁴Some friends play at friendship,[#Prov 17.17; #18.24 Syr Tg: Heb A man of; #18.24 Cn Compare Syr Vg Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain]

but a true friend sticks closer than one’s sibling.