Pro 18 | HCSB | STEP | One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires ; he rebels against all sound judgment .

‏ Proverbs 18

1 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;

he rebels against all sound judgment.

2 A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions. ^{▼▼Lit to uncover his heart
,} ^b

3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,
and along with dishonor, disgrace.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, ^c
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. ^{▼▼Or waters; a fountain of wisdom is a flowing river.}

5 It is not good to show partiality to the ^{▼▼guilt/guilty: The liability to be punished for a fault, a sin, an act, or an omission unless there is forgiveness or atonement; the term normally concerns an objective fact, not a subjective feeling.}guilty ^f
by perverting the justice due the innocent. ^g

6 A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating. ^h

7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life. ⁱ

8 A gossip’s words are like choice food
that goes down to one’s innermost being. ^{▼▼Lit to the chambers of the belly
,} ^k

9 The one who is truly lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal. ^{▼▼Lit master of destruction
,} ^m

10 The name of ^{▼▼Yahweh/Yah: Or The Lord; the personal name of God in Hebrew; "Yah" is the shortened form of the name.}Yahweh is a strong tower; ^o
the righteous run to it and are protected. ^{▼▼Lit raised high
,} ^q

11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall. ^r

12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, ^s
but humility comes before honor. ^t

13 The one who gives an answer before he listens –
this is foolishness and disgrace for him. ^u

14 A man’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit? ^v

15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it. ^w

16 A gift opens doors ^{▼▼Lit gift makes room} for a man
and brings him before the great. ^y

17 The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him. ^z

18 Casting the lot ^aa ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.

19 An offended brother is harder to reach ^{▼▼LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger}
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips. ^ac

21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit. ^ad

22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing ^ae
and obtains favor from the Lord. ^af

23 The poor man pleads, ^ag
but the rich one answers roughly. ^ah

24 A man with many friends may be harmed, ^{▼▼Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly}
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. ^aj