He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy cometh reproach.
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.
He that pleadeth his cause first'seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And'such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Canonical academic citations for Proverbs 18 (ASV) — copy in your preferred format.
Proverbs 18 (ASV). Prime Bible, accessed July 24, 2026. https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/18.
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Fools broadcast opinions; name of the LORD a strong tower. Pride before destruction; power of tongue for life/death. Finding a wife is favor.
Practical wisdom for godly living across generations.
Proverbs 18 is presented with the full Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and verse-by-verse cross-references on Prime Bible — a free, nonprofit Bible study platform.