旧约 - 箴言(Proverbs)第18章

An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.
A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
He who answers before listening--that is his folly and his shame.
A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.
The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.
Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
箴言第十八章   第 18 章 

  箴 18:8> 我是爱传舌的人,还是爱听闲话的人?亦或两者兼有? 

  18:8 不听别人传舌,跟不吃美食一样困难,不管你是浅尝了哪一种,都会使你想再尝。你若下定决心不听人的闲话,就要像节食者一样不吃糖果,甚至绝不打开糖果盒。如果你对别人的闲言闲语,一开始就一点也不听,也就不会再有第二、第三次了。 

  箴 18:11> 有钱人到底心里踏实,你不同意? 

  18:11 富足人以为自己的财富是他们最坚固的保障,这实在很可悲。金钱不能使人有真正的安全感,因为金钱的能力受多种因素影响。政治不稳定会影响币值;盗贼会偷;通货膨胀会使它贬值。但是神绝不会失去能力,祂是永远可靠的。你从什么地方寻找平安稳妥,是从不可靠的财富,还是永远信实的神那里? 

  骄傲与谦卑 

  箴 18:13,15,17> 人都喜欢倾诉,不喜欢倾听,你有没有耐心听别人说话? 

  18:13,15,17 在这几节的简洁陈述中,有三个基本原则能帮助我们作合情理的决定:( 1 )先明白实情才回答;( 2 )要坦诚对待新观念;( 3 )一定要先听取双方陈词才下断定。这三个原则都需要搜集更多有关的资料以了解情况。这是艰难的工作,但若不如此的话,就会在弄明白事实以前作出偏颇的判断。 

  箴 18:22> 天马行空,独往独来的生活蛮自由的。但神的心意却是── 

  18:22 这一节提到婚姻是美好的。现今社会强调个人自由,其实是一种误导。独特的个性固然重要,但美满的婚姻也一样重要。神为我们制定婚姻,使我们享受家庭温暖,祂认为是美好的。这节也是圣经中论到婚姻是神所设立的、喜乐良善之事的经文之一(参创 2:21-25 ;箴 5:15-19 ;约 2:1-11 )。 

  箴 18:23> 路上有人向你行乞,你通常有什么反应? 

  18:23 这一节并非容许人凌辱贫穷人,只是记载人生的不幸事情。富人若妄自尊大,藐视贫穷人,神必要严厉地刑罚他们( 14:31 )。 

  箴 18:24> 朋友不少,但真正关心我的有几个?谁的错? 

  18:24 到处都有人感到孤独,感到被孤立和与人隔绝。在茫茫人海之中,他们更觉得自己是个孤岛。我们都需要这样的朋友:不管是在顺境还是逆境中,都能够亲近、倾听、关心,并给我们所需的帮助。得一知己,胜过千万泛泛之交。但与其盼望得到一位忠实的朋友,倒不如竭力作别人的忠实朋友。有人需要和你建立友谊。祈求神将这些人告诉你,然后你要尽力地成为他的忠实朋友。──《灵修版圣经注释》