18
📚A man who separates himself seeksto fulfil his own desire;
he bursts out against all wisdom.
18:1 A man who is interested only in his own advantage will not be likely to form true and close friendships.⚜
2 📚A fool has no delight in understanding,
but only in displaying his own heart.
3 📚When the wicked comes,
contempt also comes,
and with disgrace comes reproach.
4 📚The words of a man’s mouth are
deep waters,
and the fountain of wisdom is
a flowing brook.
18:4 Prov 20:5. Who can tell what strange things may lurk in the unseen depths of men’s sinful hearts? On the other hand, true wisdom is always springing up with new sparkling clean water, becoming a flowing stream, producing life wherever it flows.⚜
5 📚It is not good to show favoritism
to the wicked,
to deprive the righteous of justice.
6 📚A fool’s lips bring contention,
and his mouth invites blows.
7 📚A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 📚The words of a talebearer are
like wounds,
and they go down into the inmost parts
of the body.
18:8 Prov 26:22. Gossip becomes a part of those who hear and believe it.⚜
9 📚He who is lazy in his work is a brother to him
who is a great waster.
18:9 See Prov 6:6-11; Eccl 9:10. This is true in the things of this world, and true also in the Lord’s service.⚜
10 📚The name of the LORD is
a strong tower 📖;
the righteous runs into it, and is safe 📖.
18:10 The name means the person.⚜
11 📚The rich man’s wealth is his stronghold
and like a high wall, in his own imagination.
18:11 So they think they do not need the Lord. But see Prov 17:19.⚜
12 📚Before destruction the heart
of man is haughty,
and before honour is 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
his infirmity,
but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 📚The heart of the prudent gets knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 📚A man’s gift makes room for him,
and brings him before great men.
17 📚The first one to present his case
seems right,
until another comes forward
and examines him.
18 📚Casting the lot ends disputes,
and decides between the mighty.
19 📚A brother offended is harder to win
than a strong city,
and disputes are like the bars
of a castle.
20 📚A man’s stomach will be satisfied
with the fruit of his mouth,
and with the harvest of his lips
he will be filled.
21 📚Death and life 📖 are in the power
of the tongue,
and they who love it will eat its fruit.
22 📚He who finds a wife finds good 📖,
and obtains favour from the LORD.
23 📚The poor man uses entreaties,
but the rich man answers roughly.
24 📚A man who has friends
may be broken,
but there is a friend who sticks closer 📖
than a brother.