Proverbs Chapter 18
King James Version (KJV)
Other Translations
darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext
1
He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
2
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
5
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
6
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7
A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8
The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9
He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
10
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.
13
He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
14
The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
15
The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17
He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19
A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.
20
A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.
21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22
Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
23
He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
24
A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
lxxbrent (lxxbrent) - Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM
1
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
2
A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
3
When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.
4
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
5
[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
6
The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
7
A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
9
A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.
10
The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
11
The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
12
Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.
13
Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
14
A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
15
The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
16
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
17
A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
18
A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
19
A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
20
A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
21
Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
22
He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God.
vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)
1
Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
2
Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ: nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde eius.
3
Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
4
Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
5
Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
6
Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
7
Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animæ eius.
8
Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
9
Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
10
Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsum currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
11
Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
12
Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
13
Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
14
Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
15
Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
16
Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
17
Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
18
Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
19
Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
20
De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
21
Mors, et vita in manu linguæ: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
22
Qui invenit mulierem bonam, invenit bonum: et hauriet iucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam, expellit bonum: qui autem tenet adulteram, stultus est et impius.
23
Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
24
Vir amabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV
1
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10
The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8
1
For <FI>an object of<Fi> desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
2
A fool delighteth not in understanding, But--in uncovering his heart.
3
With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame--reproach.
4
Deep waters <FI>are<Fi> the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom <FI>is<Fi> a flowing brook.
5
Acceptance of the face of the wicked <FI>is<Fi> not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
7
The mouth of a fool <FI>is<Fi> ruin to him, And his lips <FI>are<Fi> the snare of his soul.
8
The words of a tale-bearer <FI>are<Fi> as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down <FI>to<Fi> the inner parts of the heart.
9
He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he <FI>is<Fi> to a destroyer.
10
A tower of strength <FI>is<Fi> the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
11
The wealth of the rich <FI>is<Fi> the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
12
Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour <FI>is<Fi> humility.
13
Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
14
The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
15
The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16
The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
17
Righteous <FI>is<Fi> the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
18
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
19
A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
20
From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, <FI>From the<Fi> increase of his lips he is satisfied.
21
Death and life <FI>are<Fi> in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
22
<FI> Whoso<Fi> hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
23
<FI> With<Fi> supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
24
A man with friends <FI>is<Fi> to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
Explanations by Age Level
Explain Like I'm 5
A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!
Explain Like I'm 10
Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.
Explain Like I'm 15
Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).