Proverbs 18

Proverbs · Chapter 18

Proverbs 18:4

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.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
[are] watersמַ֣יִםMA-yimH4325G
water

מַי (ma.yim) 1) water, waters 1a) water 1b) water of the feet, urine 1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)

deepעֲ֭מֻקִּים'A-mu-kimH6013
deep

עָמֹק (a.moq) 1) deep, mysterious, depths 1a) deep 1b) unsearchable

[the] words ofדִּבְרֵ֣יdiv-REIH1697G
word

דָּבָר (da.var) : word/speech/command 1) speech, word, speaking, thing 1a) speech 1b) saying, utterance 1c) word, words 1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

[the] mouth ofפִי־fi-H6310G
lip

פֶּה (peh) : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

a personאִ֑ישׁ'IshH0376G
man

אִישׁ (ish) : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

a wadiנַ֥חַלNA-chalH5158A
torrent: river

נַ֫חַל (na.chal) : river/bed 1) torrent, valley, wadi, torrent-valley 1a) torrent 1b) torrent-valley, wadi (as stream bed) 1c) shaft (of mine) Also means: na.chal (נַ֫חַל ": valley" H5158N)

flowingנֹ֝בֵ֗עַno-VE-a'H5042
to bubble

נָבַע (na.va) 1) to flow, pour out, pour, gush forth, spring, bubble up, ferment 1a) (Qal) to flow 1b)(Hiphil) to pour out, emit, cause to bubble, belch forth 1b1) to pour out 1b2) to cause to bubble, ferment 1b3) to pour forth, emit, belch forth

a fountain ofמְק֣וֹרme-KORH4726
fountain

מָקוֹר (ma.qor) 1) spring, fountain 1a) spring 1a1) of source of life, joy, purification (fig.) 1b) of the eye (fig.) 1c) source (of menstruous blood) 1d) flow (of blood after child birth)

wisdomחָכְמָֽה׃chokh-mahH2451
wisdom

חׇכְמָה (chokh.mah) 1) wisdom 1a) skill (in war) 1b) wisdom (in administration) 1c) shrewdness, wisdom 1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs) 1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.