Bible

Proverbs 18 (MSG)

Topics in Book | Outline of Book | Facts About Book | Commentary | Parallel Verse

NET | ESV | KJV | ASV | RSV | Good News | CEV | Basic | MSG | Spanish | French

Previous Chapter | Browse | Next Chapter

¹ Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good. ² Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth. ³ When wickedness arrives, shame's not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible. ⁴ Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs. ⁵ It's not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent. ⁶ The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him. ⁷ Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words. ⁸ Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly? ⁹ Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism. ¹⁰ GOD's name is a place of protection-- good people can run there and be safe. ¹¹ The rich think their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it. ¹² Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor. ¹³ Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. ¹⁴ A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed? ¹⁵ Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights. ¹⁶ A gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people. ¹⁷ The first speech in a court case is always convincing-- until the cross-examination starts! ¹⁸ You may have to draw straws when faced with a tough decision. ¹⁹ Do a favor and win a friend forever; nothing can untie that bond. ²⁰ Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. ²¹ Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit--you choose. ²² Find a good spouse, you find a good life-- and even more: the favor of GOD! ²³ The poor speak in soft supplications; the rich bark out answers. ²⁴ Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.