18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.

A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.[a](A)

When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,
and along with dishonor, disgrace.

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters,(B)
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.[b]

It is not good to show partiality to the guilty(C)
by perverting the justice due the innocent.(D)

A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.(E)

A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.(F)

A gossip’s words are like choice food
that goes down to one’s innermost being.[c](G)

The one who is truly lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal.[d](H)

10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower;(I)
the righteous run to it and are protected.[e](J)

11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.(K)

12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,(L)
but humility comes before honor.(M)

13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.(N)

14 A man’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?(O)

15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.(P)

16 A gift opens doors[f] for a man
and brings him before the great.(Q)

17 The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.(R)

18 Casting the lot(S) ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.

19 An offended brother is harder to reach[g]
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.(T)

21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.(U)

22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing(V)
and obtains favor from the Lord.(W)

23 The poor man pleads,(X)
but the rich one answers roughly.(Y)

24 A man with many friends may be harmed,[h]
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.(Z)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart
  2. Proverbs 18:4 Or waters; a fountain of wisdom is a flowing river.
  3. Proverbs 18:8 Lit to the chambers of the belly
  4. Proverbs 18:9 Lit master of destruction
  5. Proverbs 18:10 Lit raised high
  6. Proverbs 18:16 Lit gift makes room
  7. Proverbs 18:19 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger
  8. Proverbs 18:24 Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly

18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding
    but delight in airing their own opinions.(A)

When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
    and with shame comes reproach.

The words of the mouth are deep waters,(B)
    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

It is not good to be partial to the wicked(C)
    and so deprive the innocent of justice.(D)

The lips of fools bring them strife,
    and their mouths invite a beating.(E)

The mouths of fools are their undoing,
    and their lips are a snare(F) to their very lives.(G)

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.(H)

One who is slack in his work
    is brother to one who destroys.(I)

10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;(J)
    the righteous run to it and are safe.(K)

11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;(L)
    they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
    but humility comes before honor.(M)

13 To answer before listening—
    that is folly and shame.(N)

14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
    but a crushed spirit who can bear?(O)

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(P)
    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

16 A gift(Q) opens the way
    and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
    until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

18 Casting the lot settles disputes(R)
    and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 A brother wronged(S) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
    with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.(T)

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,(U)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.(V)

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good(W)
    and receives favor from the Lord.(X)

23 The poor plead for mercy,
    but the rich answer harshly.

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(Y)