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Summary

Proverbs 18:1–8 – Isolation, Pride, and Whispered Wounds

What happens: The one who isolates pursues selfish desire and rejects sound judgment. Fools air opinions rather than seek understanding. Favoring the wicked corrupts justice. The words of a whisperer sink deep and wound.

What it means: God calls us to community and counsel, not self-will. Pride prefers talking to listening and leads to folly. God loves fairness in court. Secret slander destroys trust and grieves God.

Proverbs 18:9–16 – Refuge and Real Strength

What happens: Slack work is akin to destruction. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The rich think wealth is a high wall. Humility comes before honor. Gifts open doors and bring access.

What it means: God is the true refuge; wealth only seems secure. Diligence serves life, while laziness harms. Honor follows humility under God’s hand. Prudence uses means wisely without trusting them.

Proverbs 18:17–21 – Hear Both Sides and Guard the Tongue

What happens: The first case seems right until another cross-examines. Casting lots can stop disputes. Offended brothers are hard to win back. Words feed the inner life; death and life are in the power of the tongue.

What it means: God loves truth tested by fair process. Peacemaking sometimes needs impartial decisions. Reconciliation requires patience and humility. Speech shapes destinies before a holy God.

Proverbs 18:22–24 – Marriage and Loyal Friendship

What happens: Finding a wife is finding good and receiving favor from the Lord. The poor may plead; the rich answer harshly. Some companions ruin, but a friend sticks closer than a brother.

What it means: Marriage is a gracious gift from God. God notices how we treat the weak. Covenant loyalty in friendship reflects His steadfast love. True friends are a mercy from the Lord.

Application

  • Seek counsel; do not isolate or trust your first take.
  • Run to the Lord as your fortress and watch your words.
  • Pursue loyal friendship and honor marriage as God’s favor.

Bible

1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

7A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

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