Proverbs chapter 18

The collection of Solomon’s 375 proverbs continues.

 


 

THE COLLECTION OF SOLOMON’S PROVERBS CONTINUES

 

VERSE 1. An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.

An unfriendly man. Some people are so selfish that they withdraw into themselves and are unfriendly.

defies all sound judgment. The Hebrew word for “defies” is laag. It is also translated as “mocks.” A selfish person “mocks” sound judgment.

 

VERSE 2. A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.

no delight in understanding. A fool has a closed mind. He does not want to gain wisdom.

revealing his own opinion. A fool has an open mouth. He only wants to share his own views.

 

VERSE 3. When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.

 

VERSE 4. The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

like deep waters. Possibly “like water in a cistern,” as in “hidden” or “difficult to access.”

like a flowing brook. When wise people share their views, their words are helpful and refreshing.

 

VERSE 5. To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

 

VERSE 6. A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.

A fool’s lips come into strife. The words of a fool lead him into trouble.

his mouth invites beatings. The words of a fool upset people. They might feel like they want to strike back.

 

VERSE 7. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

 

VERSE 8. The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.

dainty morsels. Many people are attracted to gossip.

 

VERSE 9. One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

slack in his work. People who are slack in their work are doing a poor job and leaving things unfinished. Their effect is like destruction.

 

VERSE 10. the LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.

A righteous person finds their security in the LORD God.

 

VERSE 11. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

A rich person finds their security in their wealth.

 

VERSE 12. Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

In the kings of the Old Testament, we see powerful examples that power corrupts. That absolute power corrupts absolutely. Read more »

 

VERSE 13. He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.

answers before he hears. Some people blurt out whatever is on their mind. They do not filter what they say.

Nor do they listen carefully to what is being said to them.

that is folly and shame. Inevitably such people say foolish things and bring shame upon themselves.

 

VERSE 14. A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

 

VERSE 15. The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

gets knowledge. Intelligent people are continually learning more and more.

seeks knowledge. Intelligent people seek out more knowledge.

 

VERSE 16. A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

gift makes room. The gifts of the LORD God to the individual can bring success and fulfillment.

 

VERSE 17. He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.

pleads his cause. This is addressing lawsuits.

 

VERSE 18. The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

The lot. Sometimes people in the Bible made decisions by casting lots. That is, by rolling dice. Dice give a yes-or-no answer. Read more »

 

VERSE 19. A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

A brother. The Hebrew word can mean friend or blood relative.

 

VERSE 20. A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

 

VERSE 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

 

VERSE 22. Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.

NAB translation: He who finds a wife finds happiness; it is a favor he receives from the LORD.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Proverbs and from the entire Bible.

He who finds a wife finds happiness. Many godly men have claimed this verse, in prayer, by faith, as they wait for a godly woman.

 

VERSE 23. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

the rich answer harshly. Rich people often exhibit very little empathy.

 

VERSE 24. A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

A true friend is more loyal than a brother.

 


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PROVERBS

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

RESOURCES: SummaryOutline, Memorize, Sluggard, Tree of Life, Misogynism

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.