#proverbs 18

Proverbs 18: How the Fool Falls and the Wise Rise

Welcome to Inspirational Wisdom, your home for truth, hope, and clear teaching from the Word of God. In today’s video, we explore Proverbs 18, a powerful chapter that shows the clear difference between the foolish and the wise. It’s a message for everyone—teaching us how to speak, act, and live with wisdom.

Proverbs 18 reveals that a fool loves to argue, speaks without thinking, and ignores understanding. Their words cause pain and division. But the wise person listens first, speaks with care, and seeks truth. They bring peace, not conflict. This is how the wise rise—by walking humbly with God and avoiding pride.

This chapter also touches on justice, gossip, pride, friendship, and spiritual strength. It reminds us that our words have power—power to build up or to tear down. The tongue holds the power of life and death, and wisdom helps us choose life through kind and thoughtful speech.

The Selfishness of the Unfriendly

1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.

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

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

4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.

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

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

7 A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

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

9 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.

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

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

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

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

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

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

19 A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.

20 A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.

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

22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.

23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2;15.

Source: Flickr / mistacolin, via wordsgetlostintheecho How the Proud Fall | Winn Collier

Wisdom in Getting Along with Others

1 He who separates himself seeks his own desire / And rages against all sound wisdom.

2 A fool has no delight in understanding, / But only that his heart may reveal itself.

3 When the wicked man comes, contempt also comes; / And with dishonor comes reproach.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, / A gushing stream, a fountain of wisdom.

5 To respect the person of the wicked man is not good, / Nor to turn aside the righteous man in judgment.

6 A fool’s lips bring strife, / And his mouth invites blows.

7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, / And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, / And they go down into the innermost parts of one’s being.

9 He also who is slack in his work / Is brother to him who is a destroyer.

10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; / The righteous man runs into it and is safe.

11 The rich man’s substance is his strong city / And like a high wall in his own imagination.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, / But humility goes before honor.

13 As for him who gives an answer before he hears, / It is folly and shame.

14 The spirit of a man can sustain his sickness, / But a broken spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of one who has understanding acquires knowledge, / And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man’s gift makes room for him / And brings him before great men.

17 The first to plead his case seems just, / Until his neighbor comes and cross-examines him.

18 The lot causes contentions to cease / And decides between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be gained than a strong city, / And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 With the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach will be satisfied; / With the produce of his lips he will be satisfied.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, / And those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, / And obtains favor from Jehovah.

23 The poor man utters supplications, / But the rich man answers roughly.

24 A man of many friends comes to destruction, / But there is a true friend that sticks closer than a brother. — Proverbs 18 | Recovery Version (REC) Recovery Version Bible © 2025 Living Stream Ministry. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 2:18; Genesis 32:20; Exodus 3:15; Exodus 23:2; Leviticus 19:16; 1 Samuel 17:28; Psalm 64:8; Psalm 109:22; Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 10:11; Proverbs 10:15; Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 12:14; Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 16:33; Proverbs 19:29; Matthew 12:37; John 7:51; John 15:14-15; Ephesians 1:17; James 2:3; James 2:6