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?

Cross References

• 1. 18:1 [Jude 19]
• 2. 18:2 ch. 13:16; [Eccles. 10:3]
• 3. 18:4 ch. 20:5
• 4. 18:5 ch. 24:23; 28:21; Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:17; Ps. 82:2
• 5. 18:5 See ch. 17:15
• 6. 18:6 See ch. 19:29
• 7. 18:7 ch. 10:14; 12:13; 13:3; Ps. 64:8; 140:9; Eccles. 10:12
• 8. 18:8 ch. 26:22; [ch. 16:28]
• 9. 18:8 ch. 20:27
• 10. 18:9 [ch. 28:24]
• 11. 18:10 See Ex. 34:5-7
• 12. 18:10 Ps. 61:3; [Ps. 18:2]; See 2 Sam. 22:3
• 13. 18:10 [Ps. 20:1]
• 14. 18:11 See ch. 10:15
• 15. 18:12 See ch. 11:2
• 16. 18:12 ch. 15:33
• 17. 18:13 [John 7:51]
• 18. 18:14 ch. 15:13

Footnotes

• [a] 18:5 Hebrew 'to lift the face of'