Proverbs 18
BSB
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
1He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.
2A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only in airing his opinions.
3With a wicked man comes contempt as well,
and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good,
nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6A fool’s lips bring him strife,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels
that go down into the inmost being.
9Whoever is slothful in his work
is brother to him who destroys.
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;
it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
13He who answers a matter before he hears it—
this is folly and disgrace to him.
14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?
15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16A man’s gift opens doors for him,
and brings him before great men.
17The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.
18Casting the lot ends quarrels
and separates strong opponents.
19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city,
and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled;
with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the LORD.
23The poor man pleads for mercy,
but the rich man answers harshly.
24A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Introduction
Proverbs 18
The original here is difficult, and differently understood. 1. Some take it as a rebuke to an affected singularity. When men take a pride in separating themselves from the sentiments and society of others, in contradicting all that has been said before them and advancing new notions of their own, which, though ever so absurd, they are wedded to, it is to gratify a desire or lust of vain-glory, and they are seekers and meddlers with that which does not belong to them. He seeks according to his desire, and intermeddles with every business, pretends to pass a judgment upon every man's matter. He is morose and supercilious. Those generally are so that are opinionative and conceited, and they thus make themselves ridiculous, and are vexatious to others. 2. Our translation seems to take it as an excitement to diligence in the pursuit of wisdom. If we would get knowledge or grace, we must desire it, as that which we need and which will be of great advantage to us, Co1 12:31. We must separate ourselves from all those things which would divert us from or retard us in the pursuit, retire out of the noise of this world's vanities, and then seek and intermeddle with all the means and instructions of wisdom, be willing to take pains and try all the methods of improving ourselves, be acquainted with a variety of opinions, that we may prove all things and hold fast that which is good.
Cross-references: 1Cor 12:31