Proverbs 18

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1 He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He ¹quarrels against all sound wisdom.

2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only ²in revealing his own mind.

3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn.

4 The words of a man's mouth are ³deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5 To ⁴show partiality * to the wicked is not good, Nor to ⁵thrust aside the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool's lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for ⁶blows.

7 A ⁷fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

9 He also who is ⁸slack in his work ⁹Is brother to him who destroys.

10 The ¹⁰name of the LORD is a ¹¹strong tower; The righteous runs into it and ¹²is safe.

11 A ¹³rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.

12 ¹⁴Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But ¹⁵humility goes before honor.

13 He who ¹⁶gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.

14 The ¹⁷spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a ¹⁸broken spirit who can bear it?

15 The ¹⁹mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ²⁰ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man's ²¹gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.

17 The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

18 The cast ²²lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

20 With the ²³fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; ²⁴He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

21 ²⁵Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its ²⁶fruit.

22 He who finds a ²⁷wife finds a good thing And ²⁸obtains favor from the LORD.

23 The ²⁹poor man utters supplications, But the ³⁰rich man ³¹answers roughly.

24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is ³²a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

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Proverbs 18 Commentary

Chapter 18

Verse 1 If we would get knowledge and grace, we must try all methods of improving ourselves. Verse 2 . Those make nothing to purpose, of learning or religion, whose only design is to have something to make a show with. Verse 3 . As soon as sin entered, shame followed. Verse 4 . The well-spring of wisdom in the heart of a believer, continually supplies words of wisdom. Verse 5 . The merits of a cause ( proverbs 18:6-7 ) do to themselves by their ungoverned tongues! Verse 8 . How base are those that sow contention! and what fatal effects may be expected from small beginnings of jealousy! Verse 9 . Omissions of duty, and in duty, are fatal to the soul, as well as commissions ( proverbs 18:10-11 ) Lord Jesus Christ, forms a strong tower for the believer, who relies on the Lord. How deceitful the defence of the rich man, who has his portion and treasure in this world! It is a strong city and a high wall only in his own conceit; for it will fail when most in need. They will be exposed to the just wrath of that Judge whom they despised as a Saviour. Verse 12 . After the heart has been lifted up with pride, a fall comes. But honour shall be the reward of humility. Verse 13 . Eagerness, with self-conceit, will expose to shame. Verse 14 . Firmness of mind supports under many pains and trials. But when the conscience is tortured with remorse, no human fortitude can bear the misery; what then will hell be? Verse 15 . We must get knowledge, not only into our heads, but into our hearts. Verse 16 . Blessed be the Lord, who makes us welcome to come to his throne, without money and without price. May his gifts make room for him in our souls. Verse 17 . It is well to listen to our enemies, that we may form a better judgment of ourselves. Verse 18 . It was customary sometimes to refer matters to God, by casting lots, with solemn prayer. The profaning the lot, by using it in matters of diversion, or coveting what belongs to others, forms an objection to this now. Verse 19 . Great care must be taken to prevent quarrels among relations and those under obligations to each other. Wisdom and grace make it easy to forgive; but corruption makes it difficult. Verse 20 . The belly is here put for the heart, as elsewhere; and what that is filled with, our satisfaction will be accordingly, and our inward peace. Verse 21 . Many a one has caused his own death, or the death of others, by a false or injurious tongue. Verse 22 . A good wife is a great blessing to a man, and it is a token of Divine favour. Verse 23 . Poverty tells men they must not order or demand. And at the throne of God's grace we are all poor, and must use entreaties. Verse 24 . Christ Jesus never will forsake those who trust in and love him. May we be such friends to others, for our Master's sake. Having loved his own, which were in the world, he loved them unto the end; and we are his friends if we do whatever he commands us, ( John 15:14 ) .

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 32

1. Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 8:14
2. Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 13:16; Ecclesiastes 10:3
3. Proverbs 20:5
4. Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 16:19; Psalms 82:2; Proverbs 17:15; Proverbs 24:23; Proverbs 28:21
5. Exodus 23:2, 6; Proverbs 17:26; Proverbs 31:5; Micah 3:9
6. Proverbs 19:29
7. Psalms 64:8; Psalms 140:9; Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 13:3; Ecclesiastes 10:12
8. Proverbs 10:4
9. Proverbs 28:24
10. Exodus 3:15
11. 2 Sam 22:2, 3, 33; Psalms 18:2; Psalms 61:3; Psalms 91:2; Psalms 144:2
12. Proverbs 29:25
13. Proverbs 10:15
14. Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 29:23
15. Proverbs 15:33
16. Proverbs 20:25; John 7:51
17. Proverbs 17:22
18. Proverbs 15:13
19. Proverbs 15:14; Ephesians 1:17
20. Proverbs 15:31
21. Genesis 32:20; 1 Samuel 25:27
22. Proverbs 16:33
23. Proverbs 12:14
24. Proverbs 14:14
25. Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 13:3; Matthew 12:37
26. Proverbs 13:2; Isaiah 3:10; Hosea 10:13
27. Genesis 2:18; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 19:14; Proverbs 31:10-31
28. Proverbs 8:35
29. Proverbs 19:7
30. James 2:3, 6
31. 1 Kings 12:13; 2 Chronicles 10:13
32. Proverbs 17:17; John 15:14, 15