Proverbs 18

The Selfishness of the Unfriendly

¹He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;

he rebels against all sound judgment.

²A fool does not delight in understanding,

but only in airing his opinions.

³With a wicked man comes contempt as well,

and shame is accompanied by disgrace.

⁴The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

⁵Showing partiality to the wicked is not good,

nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

⁶A fool’s lips bring him strife,

and his mouth invites a beating.

⁷A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

⁸The words of a gossip are like choice morsels

that go down into the inmost being.

⁹Whoever is slothful in his work

is brother to him who destroys.

¹⁰The name of Yahweh is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.

• PROV 18:10[NOTABLE]When trouble comes, run to God first.

¹¹A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;

it is like a high wall in his imagination.

¹²Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,

but humility comes before honor.

• PROV 18:12[HEART]Before destruction the heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

¹³He who answers a matter before he hears it—

this is folly and disgrace to him.

¹⁴The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,

but who can survive a broken spirit?

¹⁵The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

¹⁶A man’s gift opens doors for him,

and brings him before great men.

¹⁷The first to state his case seems right

until another comes and cross-examines him.

¹⁸Casting the lot ends quarrels

and separates strong opponents.

¹⁹An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city,

and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled;

with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

²¹Life and death are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruit.

• PROV 18:21[NOTABLE]Your words can build people up or tear them down. Choose them well.

²²He who finds a wife finds a good thing

and obtains favor from Yahweh.

• PROV 18:22[NOTE]A GOOD THING. The Greek Old Testament adds a line here about sending away a good wife. It is not in the Hebrew.

²³The poor man pleads for mercy,

but the rich man answers harshly.

²⁴A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.