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cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../proverbs/17.htm" title="Proverbs 17">◄</a> Proverbs 18 <a href="../proverbs/19.htm" title="Proverbs 19">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/proverbs/18.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">How Fools Talk</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Whoever isolates himself pursues selfish ends;</p> <p class="poetry2">he resists all sound advice.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand,</p> <p class="poetry2">for he would rather express his own opinion.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>When an evil person comes, contempt also comes,</p> <p class="poetry2">along with dishonor and disgrace.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>The words a man says are as deep waters—</p> <p class="poetry2">a fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>It’s not good to be partial towards an evil person,</p> <p class="poetry2">thereby depriving the righteous of justice.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>A fool’s words<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:6 Lit. lips">a</a></span> bring strife,</p> <p class="poetry2">and his mouth invites fighting.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>A fool’s mouth is his unraveling,</p> <p class="poetry2">and his lips entrap himself.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>The words of a gossip are like choice morsels</p> <p class="poetry2">as they descend to the innermost parts of the body.</p> <p class="heading">Avoiding Fools and Their Foolishness</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Whoever is lazy regarding his work</p> <p class="poetry2">is also a brother to the master of destruction.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>The name of the LORD is a strong tower;</p> <p class="poetry2">a righteous person rushes to it and is lifted up above the danger.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:10 The Heb. lacks above the danger">b</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>The wealth of a rich person is his fortified city;</p> <p class="poetry2">in his own imagination, it is like a high wall.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Before a man’s downfall, his mind<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:12 Lit. heart">c</a></span> is arrogant,</p> <p class="poetry2">but humility precedes honor.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Whoever answers before listening</p> <p class="poetry2">is both foolish and shameful.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>A man’s spirit can sustain him during his illness,</p> <p class="poetry2">but who can bear a crushed spirit?</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>The mind<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:15 Lit. heart">d</a></span> of a discerning person gains knowledge,</p> <p class="poetry2">while the ears of wise people seek out knowledge.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>A person’s gift opens doors for him,</p> <p class="poetry2">bringing him access to important people.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>The first to put forth his case seems right,</p> <p class="poetry2">until someone else steps forward and cross-examines him.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Casting dice settles a dispute,</p> <p class="poetry2">deciding between strong contenders.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city,</p> <p class="poetry2">and his disputes are like the bars of a fortress.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>The positive words that a man speaks<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:20 Lit. words from a man’s mouth">e</a></span> fill his stomach;</p> <p class="poetry2">he will be satisfied with what his lips produce.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>The power of the tongue is life and death—</p> <p class="poetry2">those who love to talk<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:21 Lit. love it">f</a></span> will eat what it produces.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Whoever finds a wife finds what is good,</p> <p class="poetry2">and receives favor from the LORD.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>The poor person pleads for mercy,</p> <p class="poetry2">but the wealthy man responds harshly.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>A man with many friends can still be ruined,</p> <p class="poetry2">but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 18:6 Lit. <i>lips</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 18:10 The Heb. lacks <i>above the danger</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 18:12 Lit. <i>heart</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 18:15 Lit. <i>heart</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 18:20 Lit. <i>words from a man’s mouth</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 18:21 Lit. <i>love it</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../proverbs/17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../proverbs/19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' 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