Proverbs 18 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

18 One who separates himself seeks his own desire;
He [a](A)quarrels against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding,
But (B)in revealing his own [b]mind.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,
And with dishonor comes taunting.
4 The words of a person’s mouth are (C)deep waters;
[c]The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 To (D)show partiality to the wicked is not good,
Nor to (E)suppress the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips [d]bring strife,
And his mouth invites (F)beatings.
7 A (G)fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the [e]innermost parts of the body.
9 He also who is (H)lax in his work
(I)Is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The (J)name of the Lord is a (K)strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and (L)is [f]safe.
11 A (M)rich person’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own imagination.
12 (N)Before destruction the heart of a person is haughty,
But (O)humility goes before honor.
13 One who (P)gives an answer before he hears,
It is foolishness and shame to him.
14 The (Q)spirit of a person can endure his sickness,
But as for a (R)broken spirit, who can endure it?
15 The [g](S)mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
And the (T)ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A person’s (U)gift makes room for him
And brings him before great people.
17 The first [h]to plead his case seems right,
Until [i]another comes and examines him.
18 The cast (V)lot puts an end to quarrels,
And [j]decides between the mighty ones.
19 A brother who is offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And quarrels are like the bars of a citadel.
20 With the [k](W)fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
(X)He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
21 (Y)Death and life are in the [l]power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its (Z)fruit.
22 He who finds a (AA)wife finds a good thing
And (AB)obtains favor from the Lord.
23 A (AC)poor person utters pleadings,
But a (AD)rich person (AE)answers defiantly.
24 A person of too many friends comes to [m]ruin,
But there is (AF)a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:1 Lit breaks out
  2. Proverbs 18:2 Lit heart
  3. Proverbs 18:4 Or A bubbling brook, a fountain of wisdom
  4. Proverbs 18:6 Lit come with
  5. Proverbs 18:8 Lit chambers of the belly
  6. Proverbs 18:10 Lit set on high
  7. Proverbs 18:15 Lit heart
  8. Proverbs 18:17 Lit in his plea
  9. Proverbs 18:17 Lit his neighbor
  10. Proverbs 18:18 Lit makes a division
  11. Proverbs 18:20 I.e., speech
  12. Proverbs 18:21 Lit hand
  13. Proverbs 18:24 Lit be broken in pieces

Cross references

  1. Proverbs 18:1 : Prov 3:21; 8:14
  2. Proverbs 18:2 : Prov 12:23; 13:16; Eccl 10:3
  3. Proverbs 18:4 : Prov 20:5
  4. Proverbs 18:5 : Lev 19:15; Deut 1:17; 16:19; Ps 82:2; Prov 17:15; 24:23; 28:21
  5. Proverbs 18:5 : Ex 23:2, 6; Prov 17:26; 31:5; Mic 3:9
  6. Proverbs 18:6 : Prov 19:29
  7. Proverbs 18:7 : Ps 64:8; 140:9; Prov 10:14; 12:13; 13:3; Eccl 10:12
  8. Proverbs 18:9 : Prov 10:4
  9. Proverbs 18:9 : Prov 28:24
  10. Proverbs 18:10 : Ex 3:15
  11. Proverbs 18:10 : 2 Sam 22:2, 3, 33; Ps 18:2; 61:3; 91:2; 144:2
  12. Proverbs 18:10 : Prov 29:25
  13. Proverbs 18:11 : Prov 10:15
  14. Proverbs 18:12 : Prov 11:2; 16:18; 29:23
  15. Proverbs 18:12 : Prov 15:33
  16. Proverbs 18:13 : Prov 20:25; John 7:51
  17. Proverbs 18:14 : Prov 17:22
  18. Proverbs 18:14 : Prov 15:13
  19. Proverbs 18:15 : Prov 15:14; Eph 1:17
  20. Proverbs 18:15 : Prov 15:31
  21. Proverbs 18:16 : Gen 32:20; 1 Sam 25:27
  22. Proverbs 18:18 : Prov 16:33
  23. Proverbs 18:20 : Prov 12:14
  24. Proverbs 18:20 : Prov 14:14
  25. Proverbs 18:21 : Prov 12:13; 13:3; Matt 12:37
  26. Proverbs 18:21 : Prov 13:2; Is 3:10; Hos 10:13
  27. Proverbs 18:22 : Gen 2:18; Prov 12:4; 19:14; 31:10-31
  28. Proverbs 18:22 : Prov 8:35
  29. Proverbs 18:23 : Prov 19:7
  30. Proverbs 18:23 : James 2:3, 6
  31. Proverbs 18:23 : 1 Kin 12:13; 2 Chr 10:13
  32. Proverbs 18:24 : Prov 17:17; John 15:14, 15

You Might Also Like:

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,...
Read More

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) ...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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 ...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More