Proverbs 18, New American Standard Bible

Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

1One who separates himself seeks his own desire;

He #18.1: Lit breaks outquarrels against all sound wisdom.

2A fool does not delight in understanding,

But in revealing his own #18.2: Lit heartmind.

3When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,

And with dishonor comes taunting.

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

# 18.4: Or A bubbling brook, a fountain of wisdom The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5To show partiality to the wicked is not good,

Nor to suppress the righteous in judgment.

6A fool’s lips #18.6: Lit come withbring strife,

And his mouth invites beatings.

7A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,

And they go down into the #18.8: Lit chambers of the bellyinnermost parts of the body.

9He also who is lax in his work

Is a brother to him who destroys.

10The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

The righteous runs into it and is #18.10: Lit set on highsafe.

11A rich person’s wealth is his strong city,

And like a high wall in his own imagination.

12Before destruction the heart of a person is haughty,

But humility goes before honor.

13One who gives an answer before he hears,

It is foolishness and shame to him.

14The spirit of a person can endure his sickness,

But as for a broken spirit, who can endure it?

15The #18.15: Lit heartmind of the discerning acquires knowledge,

And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16A person’s gift makes room for him

And brings him before great people.

17The first #18.17: Lit in his pleato plead his case seems right,

Until #18.17: Lit his neighboranother comes and examines him.

18The cast lot puts an end to quarrels,

And #18.18: Lit makes a divisiondecides between the mighty ones.

19A brother who is offended is harder to be won than a strong city,

And quarrels are like the bars of a citadel.

20With the #18.20: I.e., speechfruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;

He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

21Death and life are in the #18.21: Lit handpower of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

22He who finds a wife finds a good thing

And obtains favor from the Lord.

23A poor person utters pleadings,

But a rich person answers defiantly.

24A person of too many friends comes to #18.24: Lit be broken in piecesruin,

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.