Proverbs 18:1-12
181 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Other Translations of Proverbs 18:1-12
King James Version
181 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
English Standard Version
181 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to
6 A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. 7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
The Message
181 Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good.
2 Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth.
3 When wickedness arrives, shame's not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible.
4 Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.
5 It's not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent.
6 The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him. 7 Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words.
8 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?
9 Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.
10 God's name is a place of protection - good people can run there and be safe.
11 The rich think their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it.
12 Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor.
New King James Version
181 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.
3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
New Living Translation
181 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
6 Fools' words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart.
9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
11 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 18:1-12
Commentary on Proverbs 18:1
(Read Proverbs 18:1)
If we would get knowledge and grace, we must try all methods of improving ourselves.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:2
(Read Proverbs 18:2)
Those make nothing to purpose, of learning or religion, whose only design is to have something to make a show with.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:3
(Read Proverbs 18:3)
As soon as sin entered, shame followed.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:4
(Read Proverbs 18:4)
The well-spring of wisdom in the heart of a believer, continually supplies words of wisdom.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:5
(Read Proverbs 18:5)
The merits of a cause must be looked to, not the person.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:6-7
(Read Proverbs 18:6-7)
What mischief bad men do to themselves by their ungoverned tongues!
Commentary on Proverbs 18:8
(Read Proverbs 18:8)
How base are those that sow contention! and what fatal effects may be expected from small beginnings of jealousy!
Commentary on Proverbs 18:9
(Read Proverbs 18:9)
Omissions of duty, and in duty, are fatal to the soul, as well as commissions of sin.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:10-11
(Read Proverbs 18:10-11)
The Divine power, made known in and through our Lord Jesus Christ, forms a strong tower for the believer, who relies on the Lord. How deceitful the defence of the rich man, who has his portion and treasure in this world! It is a strong city and a high wall only in his own conceit; for it will fail when most in need. They will be exposed to the just wrath of that Judge whom they despised as a Saviour.
Commentary on Proverbs 18:12
(Read Proverbs 18:12)
After the heart has been lifted up with pride, a fall comes. But honour shall be the reward of humility.