Proverbs 18 - Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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](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.[b]

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.[c](G)

9 The one who is lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal.[d](H)

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;(I)
the righteous run to it and are protected.[e](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[f] 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[g]
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,[h]
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.(Z)

Footnotes

  1. 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart
  2. 18:4 Or waters; a fountain of wisdom is a flowing river
  3. 18:8 Lit to the chambers of the belly
  4. 18:9 Lit master of destruction
  5. 18:10 Lit raised high
  6. 18:16 Lit gift makes room
  7. 18:19 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger
  8. 18:24 Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly

Cross references

  1. 18:2 : Pr 12:23; 13:16; Ec 10:3
  2. 18:4 : Pr 20:5
  3. 18:5 : Lv 19:15; Dt 1:17; 24:17; Ps 15:5; 82:2; Pr 24:23–24; 28:21
  4. 18:5 : Pr 17:15
  5. 18:6 : Pr 19:29
  6. 18:7 : Ps 64:8; 140:9; Pr 10:14; 12:13; 13:3; Ec 10:12
  7. 18:8 : Pr 26:22
  8. 18:9 : Pr 28:24
  9. 18:10 : Ps 18:2; 61:3; 91:2; 144:2
  10. 18:10 : Pr 29:25
  11. 18:11 : Pr 10:15
  12. 18:12 : Pr 16:18
  13. 18:12 : Pr 11:2; 15:33; 29:23
  14. 18:13 : Pr 15:28
  15. 18:14 : Pr 15:13; 17:22
  16. 18:15 : Pr 14:33; 15:14
  17. 18:16 : Gn 32:20; 1Sm 25:27; Pr 17:8; 19:6; 21:14
  18. 18:17 : 1Kg 3:16–28
  19. 18:18 : Pr 16:33
  20. 18:20 : Pr 1:31; 12:14; 14:14
  21. 18:21 : Pr 13:2; Mt 12:37; 15:11,18–20; Jms 3:8
  22. 18:22 : Pr 12:4; 19:14; 31:10–31
  23. 18:22 : Pr 8:35
  24. 18:23 : Pr 19:7
  25. 18:23 : Jms 2:6
  26. 18:24 : Pr 17:17; 27:10; Jn 15:13

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Proverbs 18 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

18 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth. 2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart. 3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach. 4 Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth,...
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Proverbs 18 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

18 He that will go away from a friend, seeketh occasions, that is, feigneth causes, (or looketh for reasons); in all time he shall be despisable. 2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence; no but thou say those things, that be turned (over) in his heart. 3 A wicked man, when he cometh into (the) ...
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Proverbs 18 - World English Bible (WEB)

18 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain...
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Proverbs 18 - The Voice (VOICE)

18 Whoever pulls away from others to focus solely on his own desires disregards any sense of sound judgment.2 A fool never delights in true knowledge but only wants to express what’s on his mind.3 When wrongdoers arrive, disgrace is right there with them, for shame is the companion of dishonor.4 Wor...
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Proverbs 18 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

A Fool’s Big Mouth18 One who isolates oneself seeks his own desire;he defies all sound judgment.2 A fool finds no delight in understanding,but only in expressing his opinion.3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,and with dishonor comes disgrace.4 The words of one’s mouth are deep waters,a founta...
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Proverbs 18 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

18 He who is estranged[a] seeks pretexts[b] to break out against all sound judgment.2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountai...
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Proverbs 18 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

18 He who is estranged[a] seeks pretexts[b] to break out against all sound judgment.2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountai...
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Proverbs 18 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

18 The one who lives alone is self-indulgent, showing contempt for all who have sound judgement.[a]2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion.3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonour comes disgrace.4 The words of the mouth are deep wa...
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Proverbs 18 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

18 The one who lives alone is self-indulgent, showing contempt for all sound judgment.[a]2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion.(A)3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.4 The words of the mouth are deep waters; th...
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Proverbs 18 - New Living Translation (NLT)

18 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. 2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. 3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. 4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise...
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Proverbs 18 - New Life Version (NLV)

18 He who stays away from others cares only about himself. He argues against all good wisdom. 2 A fool does not find joy in understanding, but only in letting his own mind be known. 3 When a sinful man comes, hate comes also, and where there is no honor, there is shame. 4 The words of a man’s mouth ...
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Proverbs 18 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Name of the Lord Is a Strong Tower18 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;He rages against all [a]wise judgment. 2 A fool has no delight in understanding,But in expressing his (A)own heart. 3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;And with dishonor comes reproach. 4 (B)The words o...
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Proverbs 18 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. 2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. 3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. 4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the...
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Proverbs 18 - New International Version (NIV)

18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. 2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.(A) 3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. 4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,(B) b...
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Proverbs 18 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

18 A person who isn’t friendly looks out only for themselves. They oppose all good sense by starting fights. 2 Foolish people don’t want to understand. They take delight in saying only what they think. 3 People hate it when evil comes. And they refuse to honor those who bring shame. 4 The words of a...
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Proverbs 18 - New English Translation (NET)

18 One who has isolated himself[a] seeks his own desires;[b]he rejects[c] all sound judgment.2 A fool takes no pleasure[d] in understandingbut only in disclosing[e] what is on his mind.[f]3 When a wicked person[g] arrives, contempt[h] shows up with him,[i]and with shame comes[j] a reproach.4 The wor...
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