Proverbs 18 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

Pro 18:1

Pro 18:1Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Pro 18:2

Pro 18:2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.

Pro 18:3

Pro 18:3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.

Pro 18:4

Pro 18:4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Pro 18:5

Pro 18:5It is not good to be partial to[fn] the wicked
or to deprive the righteous of justice.

Pro 18:6

Pro 18:6A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.

Pro 18:7

Pro 18:7A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Pro 18:8

Pro 18:8The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Pro 18:9

Pro 18:9Whoever is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys.

Pro 18:10

Pro 18:10The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Pro 18:11

Pro 18:11A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.

Pro 18:12

Pro 18:12Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.

Pro 18:13

Pro 18:13If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.

Pro 18:14

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

Pro 18:15

Pro 18:15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Pro 18:16

Pro 18:16A man’s gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.

Pro 18:17

Pro 18:17The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.

Pro 18:18

Pro 18:18The lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.

Pro 18:19

Pro 18:19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

Pro 18:20

Pro 18:20From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

Pro 18:21

Pro 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Pro 18:22

Pro 18:22He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the LORD.

Pro 18:23

Pro 18:23The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.

Pro 18:24

Pro 18:24A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

See the ESV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

ESV Footnotes

(18:5)

Hebrew to lift the face of

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For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.