God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 18:13
13Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful.
Proverbs 18:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
- New International Version (NIV)To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
- English Standard Version (ESV)If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
Context of Proverbs 18:13
11A rich person’s wealth is his strong city and is like a high wall in his imagination. 12Before destruction a person’s heart is arrogant, but humility comes before honor. Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful. 14A person’s spirit can endure sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit? 15The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge. The ears of wise people seek knowledge.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:13 word by word
מֵשִׁ֣יב דָּ֭בָר בְּטֶ֣רֶם יִשְׁמָ֑ע אִוֶּ֥לֶת הִיא־ל֝֗וֹ וּכְלִמָּֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:13
- Deuteronomy 13:14Then make a thorough investigation. If it is true, and you can prove that this disgusting thing has been done among you,
- 2 Samuel 16:4The king told Ziba, “In that case everything that belonged to Mephibosheth now belongs to you.” “I sincerely thank you,” said Ziba. “I hope to remain in your good graces, Your Majesty.”
- 2 Samuel 19:24Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went to meet the king. He had not tended to his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until he came home safely.
- Esther 3:10At that, the king removed his signet ring and gave it to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. (Haman was the son of Hammedatha and was from Agag.)
- Esther 8:5She said, “Your Majesty, if it pleases you, and if I have found favor with you, if you consider my cause to be reasonable and if I am pleasing to you, cancel the official orders ⌞concerning⌟ the plot of Haman (who was the son of Hammedatha and was from Agag). He signed ⌞the order⌟ to destroy the Jews in all your provinces, Your Majesty.
- Job 29:16I was father to the needy. I carefully investigated cases brought by strangers.
- Daniel 6:9So Darius signed the written decree.
- John 7:51“Do Moses’ Teachings enable us to judge a person without first hearing that person’s side of the story? We can’t judge a person without finding out what that person has done.”
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13He that answereth a matter - This is a common case; before a man can tell out his story, another will begin his. Before a man has made his response, the other wishes to confute piecemeal, though he has had his own speech already. This is foolishness to them. They are ill-bred. There are many also that give judgment before they hear the whole of the cause, and express an opinion before they hear the state of the case. How absurd, stupid, and foolish!Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13Verse 13 Eagerness, with self-conceit, will expose to shame.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pr 26:12).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries