Proverbs 18 (ESV)
1Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
To cut one’s self off from family, friends, and community is often to express a selfish desire. It shows an unwillingness to make the small (and sometimes large) sacrifices to get along with others.
Jewish tradition uses this passage to teach the necessity of not separating from the community, because people have responsibilities as social beings.
–David Guzik
2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
“Adam and Eve” by Peter Paul Rubens
“As soon as sin entered, shame followed.”
–Matthew Henry
Genesis 3:6-8 (Good News Translation)
The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. As soon as they had eaten it, they were given understanding and realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves.
That evening they heard the Lord God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees.
4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Not that everyone’s speech is deep and meaningful! Rather, we reveal the depths of our heart by the words of our mouth.
5It is not good to be partial to the wicked
or to deprive the righteous of justice.
6A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.
He who thinks by the inch and speaks by the yard deserves to be kicked by the foot!
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9Whoever is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Because the name of Yahweh represents His character in all its aspects, the believer can think about the aspects of God’s character and find a strong, safe refuge in them. It can be as simple as this:
· Lord, You are a God of love – so I find refuge in your love.
· Lord, You are a God of mercy – so I find refuge in your mercy.
· Lord, You are a God of strength – so I find refuge in your strength.
· Lord, You are a God of righteousness – so I find refuge in your righteousness.
–David Guzik
11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.
“It is not humility to underrate yourself. Humility is to think of yourself, if you can, as God thinks of you.”
–Charles Haddon Spurgeon
13If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
The adage says, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason! Listen twice as much as you speak!”
14A man’s spirit will endure sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16A man’s gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.
As an example . . .
What gifts were most frequently given to Nixon by foreign Heads of State?
Framed photographs, paintings and decorative household objects such as vases and figurines were some of the most popular gifts given to President Nixon. Many of the gifts that Richard Nixon received reflect the native crafts of the culture they represent. For example, gifts from Africa include carved ivory tusks, traditional wooden masks and African jewelry.What was the most unusual gift that President Nixon received?
The gift of two giant pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, were perhaps the most unique gifts ever given to a president. The pandas were a Head of State gift from the People’s Republic of China. They were given as a token of friendship in response to President Nixon’s goodwill trip to China in 1972.What type of gifts did President Nixon give to foreign Heads of State on behalf of the United States of America?
President Nixon usually presented Heads of State with gifts made by American companies or with American themes. Typical gifts given include Franklin Mint limited edition medallions, Ansel Adams prints depicting America’s national parks, Boehm porcelain figurines, and collector’s plates with reproductions of American artist Winslow Homer’s artwork. In addition, President Nixon often gave a framed photograph of his family to foreign Heads of State.— from the Nixon Archives
17The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
18 The lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.
“Verse 18 speaks of a practice that was widely practiced and highly regarded in ancient Israel, the casting of lots to settle disputed matters. The intent is to give the controversy over to God.”
–Duane A. Garrett
19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
Proverbs 18:20 (Good News Translation)
You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say.
Proverbs 18:20 (The Message)
Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach;
good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.Proverbs 18:20 (Contemporary English Version)
Make your words good–
you will be glad you did.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the LORD.
(Guys — Today would be a good day to tell her how much you appreciate her!)
23The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.
24A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Music:
So many of the verses in this chapter speak to the words we speak. HERE is Tim Hughes with “May the Words of My Mouth.”
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
Bless Your name, bless Your name, Jesus
And the deeds of the day and the truth in my ways
Speak of You, speak of You, JesusFor this is what I’m glad to do
It’s time to live a life of love that pleases You
And I will give my all to You
Surrender everything I have and follow You
I’ll follow YouLord, will You be my vision, Lord, will You be my guide
Be my hope, be my light and the way
And I’ll look not for riches, nor praises on earth
Only You’ll be the first of my heartI will follow
I will follow
I will follow You
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English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
DWELLING in the Word 
