Sprüche 18 | New International Version

1 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 fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. 5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice. 6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. 8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. 9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. 10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. 11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. 12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honour. 13 To answer before listening – that is folly and shame. 14 The human spirit can endure in times of illness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. 16 A gift 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 and keeps strong opponents apart. 19 A brother wronged 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. 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the Lord. 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.

New International Reader’s Version

1 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 honour those who bring shame. 4 The words of a person’s mouth are like deep water. But the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream. 5 It isn’t good to favour those who do wrong. That would keep justice from those who aren’t guilty. 6 What foolish people say leads to arguing. They are just asking for a beating. 7 The words of foolish people drag them down. They are trapped by what they say. 8 The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food. They go deep down inside you. 9 Anyone who doesn’t want to work is like someone who destroys. 10 The name of the LORD is like a strong tower. Godly people run to it and are safe. 11 The 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. 12 If a person’s heart is proud, they will be destroyed. So don’t be proud if you want to be honoured. 13 To answer before listening is foolish and shameful. 14 A cheerful spirit gives strength even during times of illness. But you can’t keep going if you have a broken spirit. 15 Those whose hearts understand what is right get knowledge. That’s because the ears of those who are wise listen for it. 16 A gift opens the door and helps the giver meet important people. 17 In court, the first one to speak seems right. Then someone else comes forward and questions him. 18 Casting lots will put a stop to arguing. It will keep the strongest enemies apart. 19 A 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. 20 Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. 21 Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. 22 The one who finds a wife finds what is good. He receives favour from the LORD. 23 Poor people beg for mercy. But rich people answer in a mean way. 24 A person with unfaithful friends soon comes to ruin. But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Sprüche 18 | New International Version New International Reader’s Version