Proverbs 18 - The Message (MSG)

Words Kill, Words Give Life

18 Loners who care only for themselves
spit on the common good.

2 Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse;
all they do is run off at the mouth.

3 When wickedness arrives, shame’s not far behind;
contempt for life is contemptible.

4 Many words rush along like rivers in flood,
but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.

5 It’s not right to go easy on the guilty,
or come down hard on the innocent.

6 The words of a fool start fights;
do him a favor and gag him.

7 Fools are undone by their big mouths;
their souls are crushed by their words.

8 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy;
do you really want junk like that in your belly?

9 Slack habits and sloppy work
are as bad as vandalism.

10 God’s name is a place of protection—
good people can run there and be safe.

11 The rich think their wealth protects them;
they imagine themselves safe behind it.

12 Pride first, then the crash,
but humility is precursor to honor.

13 Answering before listening
is both stupid and rude.

14 A healthy spirit conquers adversity,
but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?

15 Wise men and women are always learning,
always listening for fresh insights.

16 A gift gets attention;
it buys the attention of eminent people.

17 The first speech in a court case is always convincing—
until the cross-examination starts!

18 You may have to draw straws
when faced with a tough decision.

19 Do a favor and win a friend forever;
nothing can untie that bond.

20 Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach;
good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.

21 Words kill, words give life;
they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

22 Find a good spouse, you find a good life—
and even more: the favor of God!

23 The poor speak in soft supplications;
the rich bark out answers.

24 Friends come and friends go,
but a true friend sticks by you like family.

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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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