Proverbs Chapter 18
Showing all 24 verses for Proverbs Chapter 18.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. "
"A person who isolates themselves and only follows their own wants ends up clashing with good sense and wisdom itself."
I didn't design you to figure life out alone. Growth happens in community - stay close to people who can challenge and correct you in love, because isolation quietly convinces you that your own opinion is the only one that matters.
"A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. "
"A fool isn't interested in genuinely understanding anything - they just want to broadcast whatever's already in their own head."
Listen more than you speak. Real wisdom starts with genuine curiosity about what someone else knows, not with the urge to prove what you already think.
"When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. "
"Wherever wrongdoing shows up, contempt and disgrace tend to follow close behind it."
Your character shapes how the world treats you. Live with integrity now, so you're not spending your future trying to outrun the consequences of who you were.
"The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. "
"What a person says can run as deep as the ocean - and true wisdom flows out of someone like a fresh, bubbling stream."
Speak words that give life, that flow out and refresh others rather than sitting stagnant. What you say can either nourish someone or leave them thirstier than before.
"It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. "
"It's wrong to favour a guilty person in court and use that bias to bring down someone innocent."
Treat everyone with equal fairness, whatever their status. Don't let power, friendship or fear twist what you know to be right into something bent.
"A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. "
"A fool's mouth drags them straight into arguments, and their own words practically beg for a beating."
Guard your tongue. Words that stir up conflict have a way of boomeranging back on you, so choose peace over the momentary satisfaction of a sharp comment.
"A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. "
"A fool's own mouth is what wrecks him - his words become the very trap that catches him out."
Think before you speak - words released can't be fully taken back, and they can trap you in consequences you didn't see coming.
"The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. "
"Gossip lands like a wound that sinks deep inside a person, settling right into the core of who they are."
Don't gossip. Words about others cut deeper and stay longer than you think - speak in ways that build people up, not in ways that leave wounds behind.
"He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. "
"Someone who's lazy at their work is basically kin to someone who actively destroys things."
Honour the work and responsibilities given to you. Neglect is its own quiet form of harm, so bring real care and effort to whatever is in front of you.
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. "
"God is like a strong fortress tower - anyone doing what's right can run to him and be safe."
Come to me when you're afraid. I'm not a reward you earn by being perfect - I'm a shelter you can run to exactly as you are, whenever life gets frightening.
"The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. "
"A rich person imagines their money is a fortress, a high wall keeping them safe - but that security only exists in their own head."
Don't build your sense of safety on money - it's an illusion that can collapse overnight. Build it instead on things that can't be stolen, spent or lost.
"Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. "
"Pride comes right before a fall, but humility comes right before honour."
The humble are the ones who end up lifted up. Let go of the need to look impressive, and you'll find that real honour follows you rather than something you have to chase.
"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. "
"Answering before you've actually heard the whole story is both stupid and embarrassing."
Listen fully before you respond. Taking the time to truly hear someone out, rather than rushing to reply, is a genuine act of respect and love.
"The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? "
"A person's inner strength can carry them through sickness or hardship - but if that inner spirit itself is broken, who can bear that?"
I care about your inner wounds just as much as your outward troubles, maybe more. When your spirit feels crushed, come to me - you were never meant to carry that alone.
"The heart of the prudent getheth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. "
"A sensible person's mind gathers knowledge, and a wise person's ears are always listening out for more of it."
Stay curious and humble enough to keep learning your whole life. Wisdom isn't a destination you arrive at once - it's a daily practice of listening.
"A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. "
"A well-placed gift can open doors for someone, even getting them access to powerful people."
Use whatever you've been given - your skills, your generosity - to build genuine connection with people, not to manipulate your way into their favour.
"He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. "
"Whoever tells their side of the story first sounds completely convincing - until the other person shows up and the full story gets checked out."
Don't judge based on the first version you hear. Seeking out the full picture before deciding is both fairness and love in action.
"The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. "
"Drawing lots - like flipping a coin - can settle an argument and even separate two powerful rivals who refuse to back down."
Be willing to let go of needing to 'win' every dispute. Sometimes accepting a fair, neutral outcome is more loving than fighting on just to prove a point.
"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. "
"A close friend or family member you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified city - the wall between you can feel as solid as castle bars."
Be careful with the people closest to you. And if a rift has already formed, be the one who goes first to make peace, before it hardens into something even harder to break through.
"A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. "
"A person ends up 'fed' by their own words - what comes out of your mouth is what comes back to fill you, for better or worse."
What you speak into the world becomes part of your own life too. Speak blessing, encouragement and truth, and you'll find yourself nourished by it in return.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. "
"Words have the power of life and death in them - and whoever loves using that power will live with the results of it."
I know how words can heal or wound just as deeply as any action. Choose to speak life over people rather than death - a kind word can save someone's day, and a cruel one can break it.
"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. "
"Whoever finds a wife has found something good, and has found favour from God."
Cherish the people who commit their life to you. A loving partnership is a gift - treat it with the gratitude and care that a gift deserves.
"The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. "
"A poor person has to beg and plead, while a rich person can afford to answer harshly and get away with it."
Notice how you speak to people with less power than you. Treat the vulnerable with the same gentleness and patience you'd want shown to yourself.
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. "
"If you want friends, you have to be a friend yourself - and some friends end up closer to you than your own family."
I call you friend, not just a follower. Be the kind of friend who stays close and shows up consistently - that's what real love looks like in practice.