Proverbs 18

Proverbs · Chapter 18

Proverbs 18:7

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
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

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
[the] mouth ofפִּֽי־pi-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 foolכְ֭סִילKHE-silH3684
fool

כְּסִיל (ke.sil) fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

[is] ruinמְחִתָּה־me-chi-tah-H4288
terror

מְחִתָּה (me.chit.tah) 1) destruction, ruin, terror, a breaking 1a) terror, dismay, object of terror 1b) ruin

and lips hisוּ֝שְׂפָתָ֗יוu-se-fa-TAVH8193G
lips

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

[are] [the] snare ofמוֹקֵ֥שׁmo-KESHH4170
snare

מוֹקֵשׁ (mo.qesh) bait, lure, snare

life hisנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃naf-SHOH5315G
soul

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain

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