Proverbs 18 - Good News Translation (GNT)

18 People who do not get along with others are interested only in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right.

2 A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is.

3 Sin and shame go together. Lose your honor, and you will get scorn in its place.

4 A person's words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream.

5 It is not right to favor the guilty and keep the innocent from receiving justice.

6 When some fool starts an argument, he is asking for a beating.

7 When a fool speaks, he is ruining himself; he gets caught in the trap of his own words.

8 Gossip is so tasty—how we love to swallow it!

9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who is destructive.

10 The Lord is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe. 11 Rich people, however, imagine that their wealth protects them like high, strong walls around a city.

12 No one is respected unless he is humble; arrogant people are on the way to ruin.

13 (A)Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting.

14 Your will to live can sustain you when you are sick, but if you lose it, your last hope is gone.

15 Intelligent people are always eager and ready to learn.

16 Do you want to meet an important person? Take a gift and it will be easy.

17 The first person to speak in court always seems right until his opponent begins to question him.

18 If two powerful people are opposing each other in court, casting lots can settle the issue.

19 Help your relatives and they will protect you like a strong city wall,[a] but if you quarrel with them, they will close their doors to you.

20 You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. 21 What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.

22 (B)Find a wife and you find a good thing; it shows that the Lord is good to you.

23 When the poor speak, they have to be polite, but when the rich answer, they are rude.

24 Some friendships do[b] not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:19 Some ancient translations Help … wall; Hebrew unclear.
  2. Proverbs 18:24 Some ancient translations Some friendships do; Hebrew Someone with friends does.

Cross references

  1. Proverbs 18:13 : Sir 11:8
  2. Proverbs 18:22 : Sir 26:1-Sir 26:4

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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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