Proverbs — Chapter 18
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1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
1He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
3When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy [cometh] reproach.
4The words of a man`s mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.
5To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6A fool`s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
7A fool`s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
9He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11The rich man`s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goeth] humility.
13He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16A man`s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.
17He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
18The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.
19A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city; And [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20A man`s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
23The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
1One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment.
2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind.
3When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him, and with shame comes a reproach.
4The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked by depriving a righteous man of justice.
6The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.
7The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life.
8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels, and they have gone down into the person’s innermost being.
9The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.
10The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.
11The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12Before destruction the heart of a person is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13The one who gives an answer before he listens— that is his folly and his shame.
14A person’s spirit sustains him through sickness— but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge.
16A person’s gift makes room for him and leads him before important people.
17The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
18A toss of a coin ends disputes and settles the issue between strong opponents.
19A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.
20From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; with the product of his lips he will be satisfied.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
22The one who has found a good wife has found what goodness is and obtained a delightful gift from the Lord.
23A poor person makes supplications, but a rich man answers harshly.
24There are companions who harm one another, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
1An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
18The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.
23The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Summary
Proverbs on isolation, speech, and security — the name of the LORD is a strong tower, death and life are in the power of the tongue, a man who isolates himself seeks his own desire, and a brother offended is harder to win than a city.
Authorship & Background
- The Power of the Tongue: Life and Death (vv.4, 6-8, 13, 20-21)
- True vs. False Security (vv.10-11)
- Friendship and Relationships (vv.19, 22, 24)
- Listening Before Speaking (vv.2, 13, 17)
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik contrasts v.10 and v.11: the righteous trust God's name; the wealthy trust their money. One is real security; the other is imagined ("in his own conceit"). On v.21, he states: "We underestimate the power of our words. They literally dispense life or death to those who hear them." On v.24, Guzik notes that while the primary meaning is human friendship, the Christian rightly sees Christ — the friend who will never leave or forsake.
- Charles Spurgeon: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower. Not merely a shelter but a TOWER — elevated, fortified, impregnable. And the righteous RUNNETH into it — urgently, intentionally, actively. Faith is not passive acknowledgment but active running. When trouble comes, do you run to money, to friends, to your own resources? Or do you run to the Name? The tower is always open. The gate is never locked. But you must RUN to it."
Reflection
- 1. Run to the Name (v.10). When fear, crisis, or temptation strikes, where do you run? To money? To people? To distraction? The Name of the LORD is your strong tower. Run THERE. Actively, urgently. Call on His name. Hide in His character.
- 2. Listen before you answer (v.13). How often do you formulate your response while the other person is still talking? Answering before hearing is both folly and shame. Discipline yourself to hear COMPLETELY before speaking. You don't understand the matter until the other person is finished.
- 3. Your tongue deals life or death (v.21). Every conversation is consequential. You are either building life or administering death with every sentence. Take this literally. Speak life into people. Refuse to speak death.
- 4. A brother offended is a fortress (v.19). Relational damage is extraordinarily difficult to repair. This should make you careful before offending — and persistent when reconciling. If you've wounded someone, don't underestimate the effort needed to rebuild trust. Begin today.
- 5. Value your wife as God's favor (v.22). Marriage is not a burden — it is a "good thing" and evidence of divine favor. Treat your spouse accordingly. Thank God for them daily. If you're seeking a spouse, know that finding one is finding God's blessing.