Proverbs 18:1-14

1 Whoever ¹isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only ²in expressing his opinion.

3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.

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

5 It is not good to ⁴be partial to^[a] the wicked or to ⁵deprive the righteous of justice.

6 A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites ⁶a beating.

7 ⁷A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 ⁸The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into ⁹the inner parts of the body.

9 Whoever is slack in his work is a ¹⁰brother to him who destroys.

10 ¹¹The name of the LORD is ¹²a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and ¹³is safe.

11 ¹⁴A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.

12 ¹⁵Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but ¹⁶humility comes before honor.

13 If one gives an answer ¹⁷before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

14 A man's spirit will endure sickness, but ¹⁸a crushed spirit who can bear?

Images for Proverbs 18:1-14

1. [Jude 19]
2. Proverbs 13:16; [Ecclesiastes 10:3]
3. Proverbs 20:5
4. Proverbs 24:23; Proverbs 28:21; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Psalms 82:2
5. See Proverbs 17:15
6. See Proverbs 19:29
7. Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 13:3; Psalms 64:8; Psalms 140:9; Ecclesiastes 10:12
8. Proverbs 26:22; [Proverbs 16:28]
9. Proverbs 20:27
10. [Proverbs 28:24]
11. See Exodus 34:5-7
12. Psalms 61:3; [Psalms 18:2]; See 2 Samuel 22:3
13. [Psalms 20:1]
14. See Proverbs 10:15
15. See Proverbs 11:2
16. Proverbs 15:33
17. [John 7:51]
18. Proverbs 15:13

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.