Proverbs 18 - Modern English Version

¹ A man who separates himself seeks his own desire; he defies all sound judgment.

² A fool takes no delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

³ When the wicked comes, then comes contempt, and with dishonor comes disgrace.

⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing stream.

⁵ It is not good to favor the wicked, to subvert the righteous in judgment.

⁶ The lips of a fool enter into contention, and his mouth calls for a beating.

⁷ The mouth of a fool is his undoing; his lips are the snare of his soul.

⁸ The words of a slanderer are like tasty morsels; they go down into the innermost parts of the heart.

⁹ He who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.

¹¹ The wealth of a rich man is his strong city, like a high wall in his own imagination.

¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor comes humility.

¹³ He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but a wounded spirit, who can bear?

¹⁵ The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

¹⁶ The gift of a man opens the way for him, and brings him before great men.

¹⁷ He who is the first to make his case seems righteous, but his neighbor comes and cross-examines him.

¹⁸ Casting lots settles disputes; and keeps the mighty apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man’s stomach will be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the harvest of his lips will he be satisfied.

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

²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.

²³ The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

²⁴ A man of many friends may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.