Proverbs

Proverbs 18 ©

Various observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.

1

1THROUGH adesire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

a Jude 19. Nu. 6.2.
2

A bfool hath no delight in understanding, but cthat his heart may discover itself.

b ch. 15.5; 17.16; 26.11. 1Co. 8.1. Mat. 8.34.
c ch. 13.16. Ec. 10.3.
3

dWhen the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

d Ps. 10; 35; 59; 64; 140; 123; 120; 52; 36.1-4.
4

The ewords of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

e ch. 20.5; 10.11; 16.22; 13.14. Mat. 12.34-37.
5

It is fnot good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

f Le. 19.15. De. 1.17; 16.19. ch. 17.15; 24.23. Ro. 2.11. Is. 59.14.
6

A gfool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

g ch. 15.1,2; 20.3; 12.16; 14.16. Ec. 10.3,13,14.
7

A hfool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

h ch. 10.14; 12.13; 13.3. Ec. 10.3,12,13. Ja. 3.6,8.
8

The iwords of a 2talebearer are 3as wounds, and they go down into the 4innermost parts of the belly.

i ch. 12.18; 16.28; 26.22. Le. 19.16.
9

He jalso that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

j ch. 10.4; 13.4; 23.21; 28.24. Ro. 12.11.
10

The kname of the LORD is la strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and 5is safe.

k Ps. 18.2; 27.1; 61.3; 91.2; 144.2. Na. 1.7. Is. 26.4. 1Sa. 17.45.
l 2Sa. 22.3.
11

The mrich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own *conceit.

m ch. 10.15. Ps. 49.6; 52.7. Ec. 7.12.
12

Before ndestruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

n ch. 11.2; 15.33; 16.18; 29.23. Lu. 14.11; 1.51. 1Pe. 5.5.
13

He othat 6answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

o Es. 3.10. 2Sa. 16.4. Jn. 7.51.
14

The pspirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but qa wounded spirit who can bear?

p Job 1.21; 6.4. ch. 17.22. Ps. 13; 73; 77; 88.
q Ps. 147.3. ch. 15.13.
15

The rheart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

r Is. 54.13. Ep. 1.17-19. ch. 10.14; 13.16; 15.14. Ps. 85.8; 119.97-100. Lu. 10.39.
16

A sman's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

s ch. 17.8; 21.14; 19.6. 1Sa. 25.27. Ge. 32.20; 33.10; 43.11.
17

He that is tfirst in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

t Ac. 24.1-21. 2Sa. 16.3; 19.26.
18

The ulot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

u Jos. 14.2. 1Sa. 10.21; 14.42. Ne. 11.1.
19

A vbrother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

v Ge. 27.41. 1Ki. 12.16. Ac. 15.39.
20

A wman's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

w ch. 12.6,14; 13.2; 14.3; 10.31; 15.2,14.
21

xDeath and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall yeat the fruit thereof.

x v.4,6,7. ch. 10.19. Mat. 12.36,37. Ja. 3.9.
y Is. 57.19.
22

Whoso zfindeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

z ch. 19.14; 31.10-31; 3.4; 8.35; 12.4.
23

The apoor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth broughly.

a Ge. 33.3. 2Ki. 4.1. Ru. 2.7.
b Ja. 2.3. Ex. 5.2. 1Sa. 10.11.
24

A cman that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

c ch. 27.9,10,17; 17.17. 2Sa. 1.26.