New International Version
Proverbs 18:1
1An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
Proverbs 18:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
Context of Proverbs 18:1
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. 2Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. 3When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:1 word by word
לְֽ֭תַאֲוָה יְבַקֵּ֣שׁ נִפְרָ֑ד בְּכָל־תּ֝וּשִׁיָּ֗ה יִתְגַּלָּֽע׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:1
- Proverbs 2:1My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
- Matthew 13:11He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
- Mark 4:11He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
- Ephesians 5:15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
- Proverbs 14:10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
- Proverbs 17:14Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
- Proverbs 20:3It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
- Proverbs 24:21Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials,
- Proverbs 26:17Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
- Isaiah 26:8Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
- Jeremiah 15:17I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation.
- Matthew 22:35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Through desire a man, having separated himself - The original is difficult and obscure. The Vulgate, Septuagint, and Arabic, read as follows: "He who wishes to break with his friend, and seeks occasions or pretenses shall at all times be worthy of blame." My old MS. Bible translates, Occasioun seeketh that wil go awei fro a freend: at al tyme he schal ben wariable. Coverdale thus: "Who so hath pleasure to sowe discorde, piketh a quarrel in every thinge."…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1The text and the marginal readings indicate the two chief constructions of this somewhat difficult verse. Other renderings are (1) He who separateth himself from others seeks his own desire, and rushes forward against all wise counsel: a warning against self-will and the self-assertion which exults in differing from the received customs and opinions of mankind. (2) he who separates himself (from the foolish, unlearned multitude) seeks his own desire (that…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Verse 1 If we would get knowledge and grace, we must try all methods of improving ourselves.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-24Pr 18:1-24. 1. Through desire ... seeketh--that is, seeks selfish gratification. intermeddleth ... wisdom--or, "rushes on" (Pr 17:14) against all wisdom, or what is valuable (Pr 2:7).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:1
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
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