from Crossway1Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. (Jud 1:19)2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (Pr 13:16; Ec 10:3)3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. (Pr 20:5)5It is not good to be partial to[1] the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. (Le 19:15; De 1:17; Ps 82:2; Pr 17:15; Pr 24:23; Pr 28:21)6A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. (Pr 19:29)7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. (Ps 64:8; Ps 140:9; Pr 10:14; Pr 12:13; Pr 13:3; Ec 10:12)8The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. (Pr 16:28; Pr 20:27; Pr 26:22)9Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. (Pr 28:24)10The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. (Ex 34:5; 2Sa 22:3; Ps 18:2; Ps 20:1; Ps 61:3)11A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. (Pr 10:15)12Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (Pr 11:2; Pr 15:33)13If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. (Joh 7:51)14A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? (Pr 15:13)15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.16A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. (Ge 32:20; 1Sa 25:27; Pr 17:8)17The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.18The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. (Pr 16:33)19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.20From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. (Pr 12:14)21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. (Pr 4:23; Pr 12:13; Mt 12:36)22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. (Ge 2:18; Pr 8:35; Pr 12:4; Pr 19:14; Pr 31:10)23The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. (Jas 2:3; Jas 2:6)24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Pr 17:17)
Proverbs 18
New International Version
from Biblica1An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.2Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.3When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.4The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.5It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.6The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.7The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.9One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.10The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.12Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honour.13To answer before listening – that is folly and shame.14The human spirit can endure in times of illness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.16A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.17In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.18Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.19A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.20From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.21The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.22He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the Lord.23The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.24One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18
New International Reader’s Version
from Biblica1A person who isn’t friendly looks out only for themselves. They oppose all good sense by starting fights.2Foolish people don’t want to understand. They take delight in saying only what they think.3People hate it when evil comes. And they refuse to honour those who bring shame.4The words of a person’s mouth are like deep water. But the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.5It isn’t good to favour those who do wrong. That would keep justice from those who aren’t guilty.6What foolish people say leads to arguing. They are just asking for a beating.7The words of foolish people drag them down. They are trapped by what they say.8The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food. They go deep down inside you.9Anyone who doesn’t want to work is like someone who destroys.10The name of the LORD is like a strong tower. Godly people run to it and are safe.11The wealth of rich people is like a city that makes them feel safe. They think of it as a city with walls that can’t be climbed.12If a person’s heart is proud, they will be destroyed. So don’t be proud if you want to be honoured.13To answer before listening is foolish and shameful.14A cheerful spirit gives strength even during times of illness. But you can’t keep going if you have a broken spirit.15Those whose hearts understand what is right get knowledge. That’s because the ears of those who are wise listen for it.16A gift opens the door and helps the giver meet important people.17In court, the first one to speak seems right. Then someone else comes forward and questions him.18Casting lots will put a stop to arguing. It will keep the strongest enemies apart.19A broken friendship is harder to handle than a city with high walls around it. And arguing is like the locked gates of a mighty city.20Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them.21Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words.22The one who finds a wife finds what is good. He receives favour from the LORD.23Poor people beg for mercy. But rich people answer in a mean way.24A person with unfaithful friends soon comes to ruin. But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.