> [[proverbs-17|← Previous]] | [[proverbs-00|TOC]] | [[proverbs-19|Next →]] --- # Proverbs, Chapter 18 ## Chapter 18 1 One who is alienated seeks a pretext, ^proverbs-18-1 with all persistence picks a quarrel. 2 Fools take no delight in understanding, ^proverbs-18-2 but only in displaying what they think. 3 With wickedness comes contempt, ^proverbs-18-3 and with disgrace, scorn. 4 The words of one’s mouth are deep waters, ^proverbs-18-4 the spring of wisdom, a running brook. 5 It is not good to favor the guilty, ^proverbs-18-5 nor to reject the claim of the just. 6 The lips of fools walk into a fight, ^proverbs-18-6 and their mouths are asking for a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; ^proverbs-18-7 their lips are a deadly snare. 8 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels: ^proverbs-18-8 they sink into one’s inmost being. 9 Those slack in their work ^proverbs-18-9 are kin to the destroyer. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; ^proverbs-18-10 the just run to it and are safe. 11 The wealth of the rich is their strong city; ^proverbs-18-11 they fancy it a high wall. 12 Before disaster the heart is haughty, ^proverbs-18-12 but before honor is humility. 13 Whoever answers before listening, ^proverbs-18-13 theirs is folly and shame. 14 One’s spirit supports one when ill, ^proverbs-18-14 but a broken spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge, ^proverbs-18-15 and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16 Gifts clear the way for people, ^proverbs-18-16 winning access to the great. 17 Those who plead the case first seem to be in the right; ^proverbs-18-17 then the opponent comes and cross-examines them. 18 The lot puts an end to disputes, ^proverbs-18-18 and decides a controversy between the mighty. 19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a stronghold; ^proverbs-18-19 such strife is more daunting than castle gates. 20 With the fruit of one’s mouth one’s belly is filled, ^proverbs-18-20 with the produce of one’s lips one is sated. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; ^proverbs-18-21 those who choose one shall eat its fruit. 22 To find a wife is to find happiness, ^proverbs-18-22 a favor granted by the LORD. 23 The poor implore, ^proverbs-18-23 but the rich answer harshly. 24 There are friends who bring ruin, ^proverbs-18-24 but there are true friends more loyal than a brother. \* (18:2) One grows in wisdom by listening to others, but fools take delight in expounding the contents of their minds. \* (18:4) Words express a person’s thoughts (“deep waters”), which in turn become accessible to others. Cf. [20:5a]. \* (18:6) The bold personification of lips and mouth is similar to [Ps 73:9], “They set their mouths against the heavens, their tongues roam the earth.” Careless words can lead one into serious trouble. \* (18:10] – [11) Contrast this judgment with the observation in [10:15]. \* (18:13) To speak without first listening is characteristic of a fool; cf. [10:14]; [[sirach-11|Sir 11]]:8. \* (18:14) The paradox is that something as slight as a column of air offers protection against the encroachment of death. If it is stilled, nothing, no matter how powerful, can substitute for it. \* (18:15) “Knowledge” here refers to what one knows, not knowledge in itself. The mind acquires and stores it, the ear strains toward it. \* (18:17) A persuasive speech in court can easily make one forget there is another side to the question. When the other party speaks, people realize they made a premature judgment. The experience at court is a lesson for daily life: there are two sides to every question. \* (18:18) See note on [16:33]. \* (18:19) The Greek version, followed by several ancient versions, has the opposite meaning: “A brother helped by a brother is like a strong and lofty city; it is strong like a well-founded palace.” The Greek is secondary as is shown by the need to supply the phrase “by a brother”; further, the parallelism is inadequate. The Hebrew is to be preferred. \* (18:20) Fruit from the earth is our ordinary sustenance, but “the fruit of one’s lips,” i.e., our words, also affect our well-being. If our words and our deeds are right, then we are blessed, our “belly is filled.” \* (18:21) This enigmatic saying has provoked many interpretations, e.g., judicious speech brings a reward; those who love the tongue in the sense of rattling on must face the consequences of their loquacity. This translation interprets the verb “love” in colon B in its occasional sense of “choose” (e.g., [12:1]; [20:13]; [Dt 4:37]) and interprets its pronominal object as referring to both death and life in colon A. Death and life are set before every person (cf. [Dt 30:15] – [20]) and we have the power to choose either one by the quality of our deeds. Words (= “the tongue”) are regarded here as the defining actions of human beings. a. (18:4) [Prv 20:5]; [Jn 7:38]. b. (18:5) [Prv 24:23]; [28:21]. c. (18:7) [Prv 10:14]; [12:13]; [13:3]; [Eccl 10:12]. d. (18:8) [Prv 26:22]. e. (18:11) [Prv 10:15]. f. (18:12) [Prv 11:2]; [16:18]; [[sirach-10|Sir 10]]:15. g. (18:13) [[sirach-11|Sir 11]]:8. h. (18:16) [Prv 21:14]. i. (18:20) [Prv 12:14]; [13:2]. j. (18:21) [Sir 37:18]. k. (18:22) [Prv 12:4]; [19:14]; [Sir 7:26]. l. (18:24) [Prv 17:17]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[proverbs-17|← Previous]] | [[proverbs-00|TOC]] | [[proverbs-19|Next →]]