Proverbs 18 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Pro 18:1

Pro 18:1Unfriendly people care only about themselves;
they lash out at common sense.

Pro 18:2

Pro 18:2Fools have no interest in understanding;
they only want to air their own opinions.

Pro 18:3

Pro 18:3Doing wrong leads to disgrace,
and scandalous behavior brings contempt.

Pro 18:4

Pro 18:4Wise words are like deep waters;
wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

Pro 18:5

Pro 18:5It is not right to acquit the guilty
or deny justice to the innocent.

Pro 18:6

Pro 18:6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
they are asking for a beating.

Pro 18:7

Pro 18:7The mouths of fools are their ruin;
they trap themselves with their lips.

Pro 18:8

Pro 18:8Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.

Pro 18:9

Pro 18:9A lazy person is as bad as
someone who destroys things.

Pro 18:10

Pro 18:10The name of the LORD is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.

Pro 18:11

Pro 18:11The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense;
they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.

Pro 18:12

Pro 18:12Haughtiness goes before destruction;
humility precedes honor.

Pro 18:13

Pro 18:13Spouting off before listening to the facts
is both shameful and foolish.

Pro 18:14

Pro 18:14The human spirit can endure a sick body,
but who can bear a crushed spirit?

Pro 18:15

Pro 18:15Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
Their ears are open for knowledge.

Pro 18:16

Pro 18:16Giving a gift can open doors;
it gives access to important people!

Pro 18:17

Pro 18:17The first to speak in court sounds right—
until the cross-examination begins.

Pro 18:18

Pro 18:18Flipping a coin[fn] can end arguments;
it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

Pro 18:19

Pro 18:19An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

Pro 18:20

Pro 18:20Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.

Pro 18:21

Pro 18:21The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Pro 18:22

Pro 18:22The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
and he receives favor from the LORD.

Pro 18:23

Pro 18:23The poor plead for mercy;
the rich answer with insults.

Pro 18:24

Pro 18:24There are “friends” who destroy each other,
but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

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

NLT Footnotes

(18:18)

Hebrew Casting lots.

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