18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.(A)
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,
and along with dishonor, derision.
4 The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,(B)
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty,(C)
denying an innocent person justice.(D)
6 A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.(E)
7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.(F)
8 A gossip’s words are like choice food
that goes down to one’s innermost being.(G)
9 The one who is lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal.(H)
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;(I)
the righteous run to it and are protected.(J)
11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.(K)
12 Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud,(L)
but humility comes before honor.(M)
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.(N)
14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?(O)
15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.(P)
16 A person’s gift opens doors for him
and brings him before the great.(Q)
17 The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.(R)
18 Casting the lot(S) ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.
19 An offended brother is harder to reach
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.(T)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.(U)
22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing(V)
and obtains favor from the Lord.(W)
23 The poor person pleads,(X)
but the rich one answers roughly.(Y)
24 One with many friends may be harmed,
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.(Z)
Footnotes
- 18:2
- 18:4
- 18:8
- 18:9
- 18:10
- 18:16
- 18:19
- 18:24
Cross references
- 18:2 : Pr 12:23; 13:16; Ec 10:3
- 18:4 : Pr 20:5
- 18:5 : Lv 19:15; Dt 1:17; 24:17; Ps 15:5; 82:2; Pr 24:23–24; 28:21
- 18:5 : Pr 17:15
- 18:6 : Pr 19:29
- 18:7 : Ps 64:8; 140:9; Pr 10:14; 12:13; 13:3; Ec 10:12
- 18:8 : Pr 26:22
- 18:9 : Pr 28:24
- 18:10 : Ps 18:2; 61:3; 91:2; 144:2
- 18:10 : Pr 29:25
- 18:11 : Pr 10:15
- 18:12 : Pr 16:18
- 18:12 : Pr 11:2; 15:33; 29:23
- 18:13 : Pr 15:28
- 18:14 : Pr 15:13; 17:22
- 18:15 : Pr 14:33; 15:14
- 18:16 : Gn 32:20; 1Sm 25:27; Pr 17:8; 19:6; 21:14
- 18:17 : 1Kg 3:16–28
- 18:18 : Pr 16:33
- 18:20 : Pr 1:31; 12:14; 14:14
- 18:21 : Pr 13:2; Mt 12:37; 15:11,18–20; Jms 3:8
- 18:22 : Pr 12:4; 19:14; 31:10–31
- 18:22 : Pr 8:35
- 18:23 : Pr 19:7
- 18:23 : Jms 2:6
- 18:24 : Pr 17:17; 27:10; Jn 15:13
