18 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,
And [a]rageth against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding,
But only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,
And with ignominy cometh reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
[b]The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good,
[c]Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips [d]enter into contention,
And his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts.
9 He also that is slack in his work
Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower;
The righteous runneth into it, and [e]is safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty;
And before honor goeth humility.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth,
It is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
But a broken spirit who can [f]bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;
And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man’s gift maketh room for him,
And bringeth him before great men.
17 He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;
But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease,
And parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother [g]offended is harder to be won than a strong city;
And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;
With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
23 The poor useth entreaties;
But the rich answereth roughly.
24 [h]He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction;
But there is a [i]friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:1 Or, quarrelleth with
- Proverbs 18:4 Or, A flowing brook, a wellspring of wisdom
- Proverbs 18:5 Or, So as to turn aside
- Proverbs 18:6 Or, bring contention
- Proverbs 18:10 Hebrew is set on high.
- Proverbs 18:14 Or, raise up
- Proverbs 18:19 Or, injured
- Proverbs 18:24 Hebrew A man of friends.
- Proverbs 18:24 Hebrew lover.