Proverbs 18:7-17

7 A ¹fool'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 ²slack in his work ³Is brother to him who destroys.

10 The ⁴name of the LORD is a ⁵strong tower; The righteous runs into it and ⁶is safe.

11 A ⁷rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.

12 ⁸Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But ⁹humility goes before honor.

13 He who ¹⁰gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.

14 The ¹¹spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a ¹²broken spirit who can bear it?

15 The ¹³mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ¹⁴ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man's ¹⁵gift 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.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 64:8; Psalms 140:9; Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 13:3; Ecclesiastes 10:12
• 2. Proverbs 10:4
• 3. Proverbs 28:24
• 4. Exodus 3:15
• 5. 2 Sam 22:2, 3, 33; Psalms 18:2; Psalms 61:3; Psalms 91:2; Psalms 144:2
• 6. Proverbs 29:25
• 7. Proverbs 10:15
• 8. Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 29:23
• 9. Proverbs 15:33
• 10. Proverbs 20:25; John 7:51
• 11. Proverbs 17:22
• 12. Proverbs 15:13
• 13. Proverbs 15:14; Ephesians 1:17
• 14. Proverbs 15:31
• 15. Genesis 32:20; 1 Samuel 25:27

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "chambers of the belly"
• [b] Lit "set on high"
• [c] Lit "heart"
• [d] Lit "in his plea"
• [e] Lit "his neighbor"