BOOK 20 OF 66 · WISDOM & POETRY · KING JAMES BIBLE

Proverbs 18

Proverbs book home•Chapter 18 of 31•24 verses

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Proverbs 18 Overview

The chapter warns about isolation and self-will, foolish speech, gossip, laziness, pride, the strong tower of the LORD's name, hearing both sides of a dispute, and the power of words.

ProverbsBook

18Chapter

24Verses

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Before you read Proverbs 18

Coming from

Proverbs 17 emphasized wisdom in conflict, family, friendship, and speech. Because many proverbs are individual sayings rather than a continuous argument, the chapter-to-chapter connection is thematic rather than narrative.

In this chapter

The chapter warns about isolation and self-will, foolish speech, gossip, laziness, pride, the strong tower of the LORD's name, hearing both sides of a dispute, and the power of words.

Leads into

Proverbs 19 turns to wisdom for poverty, anger, family, discipline, and the fear of the lord, expanding wisdom into another set of choices, contrasts, and observations.

Key understandingExplore deeper

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” teaches the immense effects of speech; it is not a promise that spoken words magically create reality. Proverbs uses compact wisdom sayings to train judgment. Its normal patterns describe how God’s moral order ordinarily works; they are not mechanical guarantees that remove human freedom, suffering, or providence.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Central truth

Speech can destroy or strengthen, and wise relationships require humility.

Wisdom truth

In Proverbs 18, wisdom is moral skill under the fear of the LORD, not merely intelligence or practical cleverness.

Speech truth

In Proverbs 18, words reveal character and have real power to heal, inflame, deceive, reconcile, or destroy.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Wisdom connection

James 1:5 says those who lack wisdom should ask God, who gives generously. This connection helps frame Proverbs 18.

Speech connection

Ephesians 4:29 calls for speech that builds and ministers grace to hearers. This connection helps frame Proverbs 18.

Relationships connection

John 15:13 describes costly love between friends. This connection helps frame Proverbs 18.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep wisdom in context

Do not read Proverbs 18 as a set of magic formulas. Proverbs trains wise judgment in the ordinary moral order God established.

Keep speech in context

Speech principles in Proverbs 18 are strong wisdom guidance, but they do not mean words possess magical creative power.

Read Proverbs 18 watching for…

separates himself.

fool lips.

strong tower.

answer before hearing.

death life tongue.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-6Selfish separation, foolish speech, wisdom, and the shame of wickedness 7-12A fool’s mouth, talebearing, laziness, the LORD’s strong name, and the danger of pride 13-18Hear before answering; spirit, knowledge, gifts, testimony, and lot settle matters 19-24Offended relationships, the power of words, marriage, poverty, and faithful friendship

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded 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 is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

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 favour of the LORD.

The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

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Proverbs 18:13

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