Proverbs 18

1 He who isolates [separates, divides] himself pursues [seeks, searches for] selfish [his own, personal] desires [longings, cravings]; he rebels [quarrels, resists] against all [every, entire] sound [wise, discerning] judgment [wisdom, understanding]. word study 2 A [stupid, foolish] fool [rejecting God’s wisdom] does not delight [take pleasure, be pleased] in understanding [insight, wisdom, discretion], but only [exclusively] in airing [expressing, revealing] his opinions [thoughts, heart’s desires, own mind]. word study 3 With a [morally wrong, guilty of sin] wicked man comes [also, even] contempt [disrespect, scorn] as well, and [feeling of] shame [dishonor, low opinion] is accompanied [together with] by [scorn] disgrace. word study 4 The words [utterances, sayings] of a man’s [human, individual] mouth [lips, expression] are deep [profound, mysterious] waters [liquid, source of refreshment]; the fountain [source, spring] of wisdom [prudence, good judgment] is a bubbling [gushing, flowing] brook [stream, river]. word study 5 Showing partiality [accepting the person, favoring] to the wicked [morally wrong, guilty] is not [absolutely not] good [pleasant, beneficial], nor is depriving [to turn aside, overthrow] the innocent [righteous, upright] of justice [right judgment]. word study 6 A fool’s [stupid, silly, or spiritually ignorant] lips [language, words, or speech] bring him strife [contention, dispute, or quarrel], and his mouth [words, language, or voice] invites [calls for, or provokes] a beating [blows, strikes, or physical punishment]. word study 7 A fool’s [stupid, silly, or unwise] mouth [lip, or edge of speech] is his [own] ruin [destruction, or terror], and his lips [language, or words] are a snare [trap, or net] to his [very own] soul [living being, or essence]. word study 8 The words [of a whisperer, slanderer] of a gossip [talebearer, one who spreads rumors] are like choice [dainty, sweet] morsels [flatterings, wounds] that go down [descend, sink] into the inmost [innermost, deepest] being [belly, heart, the seat of emotions]. word study 9 Whoever is [extremely, exceedingly] slothful [slack, lazy, remiss] in his work [occupation, employment, labor] is brother [close relative, friend, companion] to him who [also, even] destroys [ruins, wastes, corrupts, is a master of destruction]. word study 10 The name [identity, character, and honor] of the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] is a strong [mighty, powerful] tower [a lofty structure]; the righteous [just, upright, and made right with God] run [to rush, hasten] to it and are safe [secure, protected, and exalted]. word study 11 A rich [wealthy, prosperous] man’s wealth [substance, riches] is his fortified [strong, secure] city [town, stronghold]; it is like [similar to, comparable with] a high [lofty, exalted] wall [barrier, protection] in his imagination [own conceit, thoughts]. word study 12 Before [in the presence of, prior to] his downfall [destruction, breaking] a man’s [individual, person] heart [inner being, feelings] is proud [exalted, haughty] [to exult, lofty], but humility [a modest mindset, lowliness] comes before [in the presence of, prior to] honor [glory, great respect]. word study 13 He who answers [replies, responds] a matter [thing, affair, word] before [prior to, before hearing] he hears [listens, gives attention] it— this is folly [foolishness, silliness] and [accompanied by, resulting in] disgrace [shame, reproach] to him. word study 14 The spirit [breath of life, mind and emotions] of a man [male person, individual] can endure [sustain, support] his sickness [physical ailments, disease], but who [what person, which one] can survive [bear, endure] a broken [stricken, afflicted] spirit [mind and emotions, breath of life]? word study 15 The heart [seat of feelings, will, and intellect] of the discerning [prudent, wise, understanding] acquires [buys, gains, obtains] knowledge [insight, understanding, wisdom], and the ear [ability to hear, listen] of the wise [intelligent, skilled, prudent] seeks [searches, inquires, looks for] it out [diligently, with effort, carefully]. word study 16 A man’s [the individual, person] gift [offering, present] opens doors [makes room, enlarges] for him, and brings [leads, guides] him before [into the presence of] great [important, noble] men [leaders, dignitaries]. word study 17 The first [initial, primary] to state his case [present his argument, plead his cause] seems [appears to be] right [just, righteous] until another [his neighbor, a companion] comes [approaches, enters] and cross-examines [searches, examines closely] him. word study 18 Casting the lot [a pebble or small stone used for making decisions] ends [causes to cease, brings to an end] quarrels [contentions, disputes, strife] and separates [divides, parts, scatters] strong [mighty, powerful] opponents [between the mighty, among the powerful]. word study 19 An offended [hurt or wronged] brother [close relative or friend] is harder to win [regain or reconcile] than a fortified [strong and secure] city [town or urban center], and disputes [contentions or arguments] are like the bars [bolts or locks] of a castle [citadel or high palace]. word study 20 From the fruit [produce, outcome] of his mouth [lips, speech] a man’s [individual, person] belly [womb, inner being] is filled; with the harvest [produce, revenue] from his lips [language, expression] he is satisfied [content, at peace, to satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire]. word study 21 Life [and spiritual vitality] and death [physical or spiritual] are in the power [control and authority] of the tongue [the instrument of speech], and those who love [have affection for, cherish] it will eat [consume, experience] its fruit [the consequences of one’s words, pərī]. word study 22 He who finds [discovers, attains] a wife [woman, companion] finds [obtains, gains] a good [pleasant, beneficial] thing and obtains [receives, secures] favor [acceptance, delight] from the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 23 The poor [destitute, lacking resources] man pleads [with supplications, using earnest prayers] for mercy [compassion, kindness], but the rich [wealthy, noble] man answers [responds, replies] harshly [roughly, with fierce things]. word study 24 A man [with many acquaintances] of many companions [who may bring destruction] may come to ruin [be shattered or broken], but there is [exists, is present] a friend [lover, one who shows affection] who stays [cleaves, clings] closer [in a more intimate relationship] than a brother [male sibling, close relative]. word study