18 1 For the desire thereof he will [a]separate himself to seek it, and occupy himself in all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding: but that his heart may be [b]discovered.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh [c]contempt, and with the vile man reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep [d]waters, and the wellspring of wisdom is like a flowing river.
5 It is not good to [e]accept the person of the wicked, to cause the righteous to fall in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his own destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as flatterings, and they go down into the [f]bowels of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work, is even the brother of him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth [g]unto it, and is exalted.
11 (A)The rich man’s riches are his strong city: and as an high wall in his imagination.
12 (B)Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before glory goeth lowliness.
13 He that answereth a matter before he hear it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity: but [h]a wounded spirit, who can bear it?
15 A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh learning.
16 A man’s gift [i]enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.
17 [j]He that is first in his own cause, is just: then cometh his neighbor and maketh inquiry of him.
18 The lot [k]causeth contentions to cease, and [l]maketh a partition among the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and their contentions are like the [m]bar of a palace.
20 With the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that [n]love it, shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 He that findeth a [o]wife, findeth a good thing, and receiveth favor of the Lord.
23 The poor speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man that hath friends, ought to show himself friendly: for a friend is nearer [p]than a brother.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:1 He that loveth wisdom, will separate himself from all impediments, and give himself wholly to seek it.
- Proverbs 18:2 That is, that he may talk licentiously of whatsoever cometh to mind.
- Proverbs 18:3 Meaning, such one as contemneth all others.
- Proverbs 18:4 Which can never be drawn empty, but bring ever profit.
- Proverbs 18:5 That is, to favor him and support him.
- Proverbs 18:8 They are soon believed, and enter most deeply.
- Proverbs 18:10 He showeth what is the refuge of the godly against all trouble.
- Proverbs 18:14 The mind can well bear the infirmity of the body, but when the spirit is wounded, it is a thing most hard to sustain.
- Proverbs 18:16 Getteth him liberty to speak, and favor of them that are most in estimation.
- Proverbs 18:17 He that speaketh first, is best heard of the wicked judge, but when his adversary inquireth out the matter, it turneth to his shame.
- Proverbs 18:18 If a controversy cannot otherwise be decided, it is best to cast lots to know whose the thing shall be.
- Proverbs 18:18 Appeaseth their controversy, which are so stout that cannot otherwise be pacified.
- Proverbs 18:19 Which for the strength thereof will not bow nor yield.
- Proverbs 18:21 By the using of the tongue well or evil, cometh the fruit thereof either good or bad.
- Proverbs 18:22 He that is joined with a virtuous woman in marriage, is blessed of the Lord, as Prov. 19:14.
- Proverbs 18:24 That is, ofttimes such are found which are more ready to do pleasure, than he that is more bound by duty.