Proverbs 18:17 | New International Version

New International Version

1 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 honour. 13 To answer before listening – that is folly and shame. 14 The human spirit can endure in times of illness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. 16 A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. 17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. 18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. 19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. 20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the Lord. 23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. 24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

English Standard Version

1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. (Jud 1:19) 2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (Pr 13:16; Ec 10:3) 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. (Pr 20:5) 5 It is not good to be partial to^[1] the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. (Le 19:15; De 1:17; Ps 82:2; Pr 17:15; Pr 24:23; Pr 28:21)

Le 19:15De 1:17Ps 82:2Pr 17:15Pr 24:23Pr 28:21

6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. (Pr 19:29) 7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. (Ps 64:8; Ps 140:9; Pr 10:14; Pr 12:13; Pr 13:3; Ec 10:12)

Ps 64:8Ps 140:9Pr 10:14Pr 12:13Pr 13:3Ec 10:12

8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. (Pr 16:28; Pr 20:27; Pr 26:22) 9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. (Pr 28:24) 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. (Ex 34:5; 2Sa 22:3; Ps 18:2; Ps 20:1; Ps 61:3)

Ex 34:52Sa 22:3Ps 18:2Ps 20:1Ps 61:3

11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. (Pr 10:15) 12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (Pr 11:2; Pr 15:33) 13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. (Joh 7:51) 14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? (Pr 15:13) 15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. (Ge 32:20; 1Sa 25:27; Pr 17:8) 17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. 18 The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. (Pr 16:33) 19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. 20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. (Pr 12:14) 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. (Pr 4:23; Pr 12:13; Mt 12:36) 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. (Ge 2:18; Pr 8:35; Pr 12:4; Pr 19:14; Pr 31:10)

Ge 2:18Pr 8:35Pr 12:4Pr 19:14Pr 31:10

23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. (Jas 2:3; Jas 2:6) 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Pr 17:17)