Tag: Proverbs 18:1-5

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Words Kill, Words Give Life

18 Loners who care only for themselves

    spit on the common good.

2 Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse;

    all they do is run off at the mouth.

3 When wickedness arrives, shame’s not far behind;

    contempt for life is contemptible.

4 Many words rush along like rivers in flood,

    but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.

5 It’s not right to go easy on the guilty

    or come down hard on the innocent.

-Proverbs 18:1-5 The Message

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;

    he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

    but only in expressing his opinion.

3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

    and with dishonor comes disgrace.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;

    the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked

    or to deprive the righteous of justice.

Verse 1 study: The sooner you cut yourself off from others, the sooner you will be out of step with everyone. But this may seem like unfriending someone. But it’s about self-seeking.

Verse 3 study: Social consequences of wickedness are loss of honor and esteem.

Verse 4 study: The clause is either that of a common person’s words are obscure, or a wise person’s words are profound. If this meaning is taken, take the line that contrasts such obscurity with clarity of wisdom. If the hip is in view, line two develops the theme. Ambiguity may be deliberate, leaving the application open.