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Proverbs 18
New Life Version
Proverbs 18
New Life Version
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 are deep waters. Wisdom comes like a flowing river making a pleasant noise.
5 It is not good to favor the sinful, or to keep what is fair from one who is right with God.
6 The lips of a fool bring fighting, and his mouth calls for a beating.
7 The mouth of a fool is what destroys him, and his lips are a trap to his soul.
8 The words of one who speaks about others in secret are like tempting bites of food. They go down into the inside parts of the body.
9 He who is lazy in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The man who does what is right runs into it and is safe.
11 The rich man’s money is his strong city, and he thinks it is like a high wall.
12 The heart of a man is proud before he is destroyed, but having no pride goes before honor.
13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it makes him foolish and ashamed.
14 The spirit of a man can help him through his sickness, but who can carry a broken spirit?
15 An understanding mind gets much learning, and the ear of the wise listens for much learning.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him in front of great men.
17 He who tells his story first makes people think he is right, until the other comes to test him.
18 Throwing an object to decide puts an end to arguing. It keeps powerful men from fighting.
19 A brother who has been hurt in his spirit is harder to be won than a strong city, and arguing is like the iron gates of a king’s house.
20 A man’s stomach will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be filled with what his lips speak.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and gets favor from the Lord.
23 The poor man asks for loving-kindness, but the rich man is hard in his answers.
24 A man who has friends must be a friend, but there is a friend who stays nearer than a brother.
Proverbs 18
New International Version
Proverbs 18
New International Version
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)
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.(E)
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.(H)
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.(I)
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)
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)
New Life Version (NLV)
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.
New International Version (NIV) 
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