1 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 are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
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.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
1 Through desire H8378 a man, having separated H6504 himself, seeketh H1245 and intermeddleth H1566 with all wisdom. H8454
2 A fool H3684 hath no delight H2654 in understanding, H8394 but that his heart H3820 may discover H1540 itself.
3 When the wicked H7563 cometh, H935 then cometh H935 also contempt, H937 and with ignominy H7036 reproach. H2781
4 The words H1697 of a man's H376 mouth H6310 are as deep H6013 waters, H4325 and the wellspring H4726 of wisdom H2451 as a flowing H5042 brook. H5158
5 It is not good H2896 to accept H5375 the person H6440 of the wicked, H7563 to overthrow H5186 the righteous H6662 in judgment. H4941
6 A fool's H3684 lips H8193 enter H935 into contention, H7379 and his mouth H6310 calleth H7121 for strokes. H4112
7 A fool's H3684 mouth H6310 is his destruction, H4288 and his lips H8193 are the snare H4170 of his soul. H5315
8 The words H1697 of a talebearer H5372 are as wounds, H3859 and they go down H3381 into the innermost parts H2315 of the belly. H990
9 He also that is slothful H7503 in his work H4399 is brother H251 to him that is a great H1167 waster. H7843
10 The name H8034 of the LORD H3068 is a strong H5797 tower: H4026 the righteous H6662 runneth H7323 into it, and is safe. H7682
11 The rich man's H6223 wealth H1952 is his strong H5797 city, H7151 and as an high H7682 wall H2346 in his own conceit. H4906
12 Before H6440 destruction H7667 the heart H3820 of man H376 is haughty, H1361 and before H6440 honour H3519 is humility. H6038
13 He that answereth H7725 a matter H1697 before he heareth H8085 it, it is folly H200 and shame H3639 unto him.
14 The spirit H7307 of a man H376 will sustain H3557 his infirmity; H4245 but a wounded H5218 spirit H7307 who can bear? H5375
15 The heart H3820 of the prudent H995 getteth H7069 knowledge; H1847 and the ear H241 of the wise H2450 seeketh H1245 knowledge. H1847
16 A man's H120 gift H4976 maketh room H7337 for him, and bringeth H5148 him before H6440 great men. H1419
17 He that is first H7223 in his own cause H7379 seemeth just; H6662 but his neighbour H7453 cometh H935 H935 and searcheth H2713 him.
18 The lot H1486 causeth contentions H4079 to cease, H7673 and parteth H6504 between the mighty. H6099
19 A brother H251 offended H6586 is harder to be won than a strong H5797 city: H7151 and their contentions H4079 H4066 are like the bars H1280 of a castle. H759
20 A man's H376 belly H990 shall be satisfied H7646 with the fruit H6529 of his mouth; H6310 and with the increase H8393 of his lips H8193 shall he be filled. H7646
21 Death H4194 and life H2416 are in the power H3027 of the tongue: H3956 and they that love H157 it shall eat H398 the fruit H6529 thereof.
22 Whoso findeth H4672 a wife H802 findeth H4672 a good H2896 thing, and obtaineth H6329 favour H7522 of the LORD. H3068
23 The poor H7326 useth H1696 intreaties; H8469 but the rich H6223 answereth H6030 roughly. H5794
24 A man H376 that hath friends H7453 must shew himself friendly: H7489 and there is H3426 a friend H157 that sticketh closer H1695 than a brother. H251
1 He that separateth himself seeketh `his own' desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy `cometh' reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are `as' deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is `as' a flowing brook.
5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, `Nor' to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor `goeth' humility.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.
17 He that pleadeth his cause first `seemeth' just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother offended `is harder to be won' than a strong city; And `such' contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24 He that maketh many friends `doeth it' to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
1 For `an object of' desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach.
4 Deep waters `are' the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom `is' a flowing brook.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked `is' not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
7 The mouth of a fool `is' ruin to him, And his lips `are' the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a tale-bearer `are' as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down `to' the inner parts of the heart.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he `is' to a destroyer.
10 A tower of strength `is' the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
11 The wealth of the rich `is' the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour `is' humility.
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
17 Righteous `is' the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, `From the' increase of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life `are' in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
22 `Whoso' hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
23 `With' supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
24 A man with friends `is' to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.
20 A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
1 An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, And defies all sound judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, And with shame comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, Nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips come into strife, And his mouth invites beatings.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: They go down into a person's innermost parts.
9 One who is slack in his work Is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: The righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, Like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, But before honor is humility.
13 He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him.
14 A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, But a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
17 He who pleads his cause first seems right; Until another comes and questions him.
18 The lot settles disputes, And keeps strong ones apart.
19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; And disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; Those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor of Yahweh.
23 The poor plead for mercy, But the rich answer harshly.
24 A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
1 He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
8 The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
11 The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 18
Commentary on Proverbs 18 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 18
Pro 18:1
The original here is difficult, and differently understood.
Pro 18:2
A fool may pretend to understanding, and to seek and intermeddle with the means of it, but,
Pro 18:3
This may include a double sense:-
Pro 18:4
The similitudes here seem to be elegantly transposed.
Pro 18:5
This justly condemns those who, being employed in the administration of justice, pervert judgment,
Pro 18:6-7
Solomon has often shown what mischief bad men do to others with their ungoverned tongues; here he shows what mischief they do to themselves.
Pro 18:8
Tale-bearers are those who secretly carry stories from house to house, which perhaps have some truth in them, but are secrets not fit to be told, or are basely misrepresented, and false colours put upon them, and are all told with design to blast men's reputation, to break their friendship, to make mischief between relations and neighbours, and set them at variance. Now the words of such are here said to be,
Pro 18:9
Note,
Pro 18:10
Here is,
Pro 18:11
Having described the firm and faithful defence of the righteous man (v. 10), Solomon here shows what is the false and deceitful defence of the rich man, that has his portion and treasure in the things of this world, and sets his heart upon them. His wealth is as much his confidence, and he expects as much from it, as a godly man from his God. See,
Pro 18:12
Note,
Pro 18:13
See here how men often expose themselves by that very thing by which they hope to gain applause.
Pro 18:14
Note,
Pro 18:15
Note,
Pro 18:16
Of what great force gifts (that is, bribes) are he had intimated before, ch. 17:8, 23. Here he shows the power of gifts, that is, presents made even by inferiors to those that are above them and have much more than they have. A good present will go far,
Pro 18:17
This shows that one tale is good till another is told.
Pro 18:18
Note,
Pro 18:19
Note,
Pro 18:20
Note,
Pro 18:21
Note,
Pro 18:22
Note,
Pro 18:23
Note,
Pro 18:24
Solomon here recommends friendship to us, and shows,