Proverbs 18

The Proverbs of Solomon

1 Whoever y isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
 2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only z in expressing his opinion.
 3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
 4 The words of a man's mouth are a deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
 5 It is not good to b be partial to 1 the wicked
or to c deprive the righteous of justice.
 6 A fool's lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites d a beating.
 7 e A fool's mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
 8 f The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into g the inner parts of the body.
 9 Whoever is slack in his work
is a h brother to him who destroys.
 10 i The name of the Lord is j a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and k is safe.
 11 l A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
 12 m Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
but n humility comes before honor.
 13 If one gives an answer o before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
 14 A man's spirit will endure sickness,
but p a crushed spirit who can bear?
 15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
 16 A man's q gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.
 17 The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
 18 r The lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.
 19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
 20 s From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
 21 t Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
 22 He who finds u a wife finds v a good thing
and w obtains favor x from the Lord.
 23 The poor use entreaties,
but y the rich answer roughly.
 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but z there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

  1. Cross References
    Jude 1:19
    It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
  2. Cross References
    Proverbs 13:16
    In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
    Ecclesiastes 10:3
    Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:5
    The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
  4. Cross References
    Proverbs 24:23
    These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.
    Proverbs 28:21
    To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
    Leviticus 19:15
    You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
    Deuteronomy 1:17
    You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.
    Psalms 82:2
    How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
  5. Cross References
    Proverbs 17:15
    He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
  6. Cross References
    Proverbs 19:29
    Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.
  7. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:14
    The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a f...
    Proverbs 12:13
    An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of...
    Proverbs 13:3
    Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he...
    Psalms 64:8
    They are brought to ruin, with their own tongue...
    Psalms 140:9
    As for the head of those who surround me, let t...
    Ecclesiastes 10:12
    The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, ...
  8. Cross References
    Proverbs 26:22
    The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
    Proverbs 16:28
    A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
  9. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:27
    The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.
  10. Cross References
    Proverbs 28:24
    Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, "That is no transgression," is a companion to a man who destroys.
  11. Cross References
    Exodus 34:5 - 7
    The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.
  12. Cross References
    Psalms 61:3
    For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
    Psalms 18:2
    The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
    2 Samuel 22:3
    My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.
  13. Cross References
    Psalms 20:1
    May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
  14. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:15
    A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
  15. Cross References
    Proverbs 11:2
    When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
  16. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:33
    The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
  17. Cross References
    John 7:51
    "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?"
  18. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:13
    A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
  19. Cross References
    Genesis 32:20
    And you shall say, 'Moreover, your servant Jacob is behind us.'" For he thought, "I may appease him with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.
    1 Samuel 25:27
    And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord.
    Proverbs 17:8
    A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
  20. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:33
    The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
  21. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:14
    From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
  22. Cross References
    Matthew 12:36 - 37
    I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.
    Proverbs 4:23
    Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
    Proverbs 12:13
    An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
  23. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:4
    An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
    Proverbs 19:14
    House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
    Proverbs 31:10 - 31
    An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
  24. Cross References
    Genesis 2:18
    Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.
  25. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:35
    For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.
  26. Cross References
    Proverbs 19:14
    House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
  27. Cross References
    James 2:3
    And if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet.
    James 2:6
    But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?
  28. Cross References
    Proverbs 17:17
    A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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