Proverbs

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31

Proverbs 18 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Proverbs 18 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

(18:2, 7) "A fool hath no delight in understanding" and his "mouth is his destruction." This seems true enough, but Christians should remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:22:" Whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."

I'm reminded here of chapter 17:28... But see Matthew 5:22.

3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

"A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes."
Fools are meant to be beaten.
What the Bible says about torture
The Bible's guide to torture

The author of the SAB reads this verse as: whenever we hear a fool, we should rush in to beat them up. But it is the exact opposite. It is the mouth of a fool that speaks of strokes. He not only argues, but claims: “beat me up if you can and if you're such a big boy.”

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing."
Is marriage a good thing?

Yes, marriage is a good thing. But see the context in 1 Cor. 7:1.

23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.