📖 Proverbs — Chapter 18 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Proverbs 18:1 RTThrough desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Proverbs 18:2 A Rfool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Proverbs 18:3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
Proverbs 18:4 The Rwords of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Proverbs 18:5 It is Rnot good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Proverbs 18:6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and Rhis mouth calleth for strokes.
Proverbs 18:7 A fool’s mouth is Rhis destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Proverbs 18:8 The Rwords of a Ttalebearer are Tas wounds, and they go down into the Tinnermost parts of the belly.
Proverbs 18:9 He also Rthat is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Proverbs 18:10 The Rname of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is Tsafe.
Proverbs 18:11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Proverbs 18:12 Before Rdestruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Proverbs 18:13 He Rthat Tanswereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Proverbs 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; Rbut a wounded spirit who can bear?
Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Proverbs 18:17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Proverbs 18:18 RThe lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Proverbs 18:19 A Rbrother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Proverbs 18:20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Proverbs 18:21 RDeath and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:22 Whoso Rfindeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Proverbs 18:23 The Rpoor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Proverbs 18:24 A man Rthat hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 18:1–8 — Listening before displaying opinions
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Self-absorbed folly, contempt, and gossip harm community. Words can be deep resources of wisdom or wounds reaching inward.
Key Truth: Listen rather than merely display opinions.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all ____ .” (Proverbs 18:1)
Find it in Proverbs 18:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “When the ____ cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.” (Proverbs 18:3)
Find it in Proverbs 18:3 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “The ____ of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the …” (Proverbs 18:4)
Find it in Proverbs 18:4 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 18:9–16 — Diligence, humility, and refuge
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Laziness wastes, pride precedes ruin, and the Lord’s name provides refuge. Human confidence and public influence need humble examination.
Key Truth: Find refuge beyond personal status.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “He also that is ____ in his work is brother to him that is a …” (Proverbs 18:9)
Find it in Proverbs 18:9 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is ____ and shame unto him.” (Proverbs 18:13)
Find it in Proverbs 18:13 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “A ____ gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great …” (Proverbs 18:16)
Find it in Proverbs 18:16 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 18:17–24 — Hearing both sides and faithful friendship
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A first account can seem right until examined. Words bear consequences, while loyal friendship can remain closer than family ties.
Key Truth: Hear fairly and be a faithful friend.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “He that is ____ in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh …” (Proverbs 18:17)
Find it in Proverbs 18:17 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ and life are in the power of the tongue: and …” (Proverbs 18:21)
Find it in Proverbs 18:21 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a ____ that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)
Find it in Proverbs 18:24 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 17:17 — A friend’s love endures through adversity.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Whose side of a dispute have you not yet heard?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the rich man’s imagined wall differ from the preceding strong tower?
2. What makes an early answer foolish?
3. Why should the first presentation of a case be examined?
4. What do city and castle-bar images emphasize?
5. What does the fruit image add to the tongue’s power?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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