1Whoever yisolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only zin expressing his opinion.
3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4The words of a man's mouth are adeep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5It is not good to bbe partial to1 the wicked
or to cdeprive the righteous of justice.
6A fool's lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites da beating.
7eA fool's mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8fThe words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into gthe inner parts of the body.
9Whoever is slack in his work
is a hbrother to him who destroys.
10iThe name of the Lord is ja strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and kis safe.
11lA rich man's wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
12mBefore destruction a man's heart is haughty,
but nhumility comes before honor.
13If one gives an answer obefore he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
14A man's spirit will endure sickness,
but pa crushed spirit who can bear?
15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16A man's qgift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.
17The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
18rThe lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.
19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20sFrom the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21tDeath and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22He who finds ua wife finds va good thing
and wobtains favor xfrom the Lord.
23The poor use entreaties,
but ythe rich answer roughly.
24A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but zthere is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Footnotes
- 1 18:5 Hebrew to lift the face of
The Prophesied Kingdom — Part One
Ezra 1:1 – Malachi 4:6 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 36:31 • ID: 2390The Prophesied Kingdom — Part Two
Ezra 1:1 – Malachi 4:6 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 43:38 • ID: 2391Wise Words
Unlocking Treasure in the Book of Proverbs Proverbs 1:1–31:31 Series • ID: 24301Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.