Proverbs 18 – KJV & NIVUK

King James Version

Proverbs 18:1-24

1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.18.1 Through…: or, He that separateth himself seeketh according to his desire, and intermeddleth in every business 2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.18.8 talebearer: or, whisperer18.8 as wounds: or, like as when men are wounded18.8 innermost…: Heb. chambers 9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.18.10 safe: Heb. set aloft 11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.18.13 answereth…: Heb. returneth a word 14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

New International Version – UK

Proverbs 18:1-24

1An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends

and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

2Fools find no pleasure in understanding

but delight in airing their own opinions.

3When wickedness comes, so does contempt,

and with shame comes reproach.

4The words of the mouth are deep waters,

but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

5It is not good to be partial to the wicked

and so deprive the innocent of justice.

6The lips of fools bring them strife,

and their mouths invite a beating.

7The mouths of fools are their undoing,

and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

they go down to the inmost parts.

9One who is slack in his work

is brother to one who destroys.

10The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.

11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;

they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

12Before a downfall the heart is haughty,

but humility comes before honour.

13To answer before listening –

that is folly and shame.

14The human spirit can endure in times of illness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,

for the ears of the wise seek it out.

16A gift opens the way

and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

17In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,

until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

18Casting the lot settles disputes

and keeps strong opponents apart.

19A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;

disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

20From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;

with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.

21The tongue has the power of life and death,

and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22He who finds a wife finds what is good

and receives favour from the Lord.

23The poor plead for mercy,

but the rich answer harshly.

24One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.