Today we continue our reading in the Old Testament book of Proverbs in the Amplified Bible translation with Proverbs chapter 18 from the Word of God.
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[00:00:04] Proverbs 18 He who willingly separates himself from God and man seeks his own desire. He quarrels against all sound wisdom. A closed-minded fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his personal opinions, unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity.
[00:00:33] When the wicked man comes to the depth of evil, contempt of all that is pure and good also comes. And with inner baseness or dishonor comes outer shame or scorn. The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters, copious and difficult to fathom.
[00:00:58] The fountain of mature, godly wisdom is like a bubbling stream, sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving. To show respect to the wicked person is not good, nor to push aside and deprive the righteous of justice.
[00:01:21] A fool's lips bring contention and strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a whisperer, or gossip, are like dainty morsels to be greedily eaten.
[00:01:45] They go down into the innermost chambers of the body to be remembered and mused upon. He who is careless in his work is a brother to him who destroys. The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high far above evil.
[00:02:12] The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall of protection in his own imagination and conceit. Before disaster, the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance. But humility comes before honor.
[00:02:36] He who answers before he hears the facts, it is folly and shame to him. The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness. But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it? The mind of the prudent always acquires knowledge. And the ear of the wise always seeks knowledge.
[00:03:03] A man's gift, given in love or courtesy, makes room for him and brings him before great men. The first one to plead his case seems right, until another comes and cross-examines him. To cast lots puts an end to corals and decides between powerful contenders.
[00:03:29] A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city. And contentions separating families are like the bars of a castle. A man's stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth. He will be satisfied with the consequence of his words. Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
[00:03:58] And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. He who finds a true and faithful wife finds a good thing and obtains favor and approval from the Lord. The poor man pleads, but the rich man answers roughly.
[00:04:23] The man of too many friends, chosen indiscriminately, will be broken in pieces and come to ruin. But there is a true loving friend who is reliable and sticks closer than a brother. Thank you for tuning in to the The Audio Bible Podcast today. This has been Proverbs chapter 18 from the Word of God.